Military Expenditures (% of GDP) 2004

Military Expenditures as a percentage of GDP highlights national defense spending. Compare countries, explore rankings, and view trends.

187 data points•Updated 3/28/2026•Global Coverage•CIA World Factbook•

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
1	Antigua and Barbuda	NaN % of GDP
2	Bahrain	7.5 % of GDP
3	Burundi	6 % of GDP
4	Brunei Darussalam	5.9 % of GDP
5	Bosnia and Herzegovina	4.5 % of GDP
6	Djibouti	4.4 % of GDP
7	Chile	4 % of GDP
8	Cyprus	3.8 % of GDP
9	Botswana	3.6 % of GDP
10	Algeria	3.5 % of GDP
11	China	3.5 % of GDP
12	Colombia	3.4 % of GDP
13	Sri Lanka	3.2 % of GDP
14	United Arab Emirates	3.1 % of GDP
15	Cambodia	3 % of GDP
16	Comoros	3 % of GDP
17	Australia	2.8 % of GDP
18	Congo	2.8 % of GDP
19	Benin	2.7 % of GDP
20	Azerbaijan	2.6 % of GDP
21	Bulgaria	2.6 % of GDP
22	Myanmar	2.1 % of GDP
23	Brazil	2.1 % of GDP
24	Chad	2.1 % of GDP
25	Belize	2 % of GDP
26	Angola	1.9 % of GDP
27	Bhutan	1.9 % of GDP
28	Cuba	1.8 % of GDP
29	Bolivia	1.6 % of GDP
30	Denmark	1.6 % of GDP
31	Cabo Verde	1.5 % of GDP
32	Albania	1.49 % of GDP
33	Belarus	1.4 % of GDP
34	Congo, Democratic Republic of the	1.4 % of GDP
35	Cameroon	1.4 % of GDP
36	Argentina	1.3 % of GDP
37	Belgium	1.3 % of GDP
38	Bangladesh	1.2 % of GDP
39	Canada	1.1 % of GDP
40	Afghanistan	1 % of GDP
41	Austria	0.85 % of GDP
42	Barbados	NaN % of GDP
43	Bermuda	0.11 % of GDP
44	Bahamas	NaN % of GDP
45	Solomon Islands	NaN % of GDP
46	Central African Republic	1.1 % of GDP
47	Costa Rica	0.4 % of GDP
48	Dominica	NaN % of GDP
49	North Korea	22.9 % of GDP
50	Jordan	20.2 % of GDP
51	Eritrea	11.8 % of GDP
52	Israel	8.7 % of GDP
53	Kuwait	5.8 % of GDP
54	Ethiopia	5.2 % of GDP
55	Greece	4.3 % of GDP
56	Egypt	3.6 % of GDP
57	Iran	3.3 % of GDP
58	South Korea	2.7 % of GDP
59	France	2.6 % of GDP
60	Equatorial Guinea	2.5 % of GDP
61	Ecuador	2.4 % of GDP
62	India	2.4 % of GDP
63	Croatia	2.39 % of GDP
64	Fiji	2.2 % of GDP
65	Czech Republic	2.1 % of GDP
66	Estonia	2 % of GDP
67	Finland	2 % of GDP
68	Italy	1.9 % of GDP
69	Kenya	1.8 % of GDP
70	Hungary	1.75 % of GDP
71	Guinea	1.7 % of GDP
72	Germany	1.5 % of GDP
73	Honduras	1.5 % of GDP
74	Dominican Republic	1.1 % of GDP
75	El Salvador	1.1 % of GDP
76	Ireland	0.9 % of GDP
77	French Guiana	NaN % of GDP
78	Falkland Islands (Malvinas)	NaN % of GDP
79	Faroe Islands	NaN % of GDP
80	Gabon	2 % of GDP
81	Kyrgyzstan	1.4 % of GDP
82	Indonesia	1.3 % of GDP
83	Côte d'Ivoire	1.2 % of GDP
84	Japan	1 % of GDP
85	Haiti	0.9 % of GDP
86	Guatemala	0.8 % of GDP
87	Guyana	0.8 % of GDP
88	Ghana	0.6 % of GDP
89	Georgia	0.59 % of GDP
90	Gambia	0.3 % of GDP
91	Grenada	NaN % of GDP
92	Iraq	NaN % of GDP
93	Jamaica	0.4 % of GDP
94	Kiribati	NaN % of GDP
95	Oman	11.4 % of GDP
96	Qatar	10 % of GDP
97	Maldives	8.6 % of GDP
98	North Macedonia	6 % of GDP
99	Lebanon	4.8 % of GDP
100	Morocco	4.8 % of GDP
101	Libya	3.9 % of GDP
102	Pakistan	3.9 % of GDP
103	Mauritania	3.7 % of GDP
104	Guinea-Bissau	2.8 % of GDP
105	Lesotho	2.6 % of GDP
106	Romania	2.47 % of GDP
107	Portugal	2.3 % of GDP
108	Mongolia	2.2 % of GDP
109	Mozambique	2.2 % of GDP
110	Malaysia	2.03 % of GDP
111	Lithuania	1.9 % of GDP
112	Norway	1.9 % of GDP
113	Slovakia	1.89 % of GDP
114	Poland	1.71 % of GDP
115	Netherlands	1.6 % of GDP
116	Nepal	1.6 % of GDP
117	Philippines	1.5 % of GDP
118	Papua New Guinea	1.4 % of GDP
119	Liberia	1.3 % of GDP
120	Mali	1.3 % of GDP
121	Peru	1.3 % of GDP
122	Latvia	1.2 % of GDP
123	Madagascar	1.2 % of GDP
124	Nicaragua	1.2 % of GDP
125	Panama	1.2 % of GDP
126	Niger	1.1 % of GDP
127	New Zealand	1 % of GDP
128	Kazakhstan	0.9 % of GDP
129	Luxembourg	0.9 % of GDP
130	Mexico	0.9 % of GDP
131	Nigeria	0.9 % of GDP
132	Paraguay	0.9 % of GDP
133	Malawi	0.7 % of GDP
134	Malta	0.7 % of GDP
135	Suriname	0.7 % of GDP
136	Laos	0.5 % of GDP
137	Republic of Moldova	0.4 % of GDP
138	Mauritius	0.2 % of GDP
139	New Caledonia	NaN % of GDP
140	Vanuatu	NaN % of GDP
141	Nauru	NaN % of GDP
142	Russia	NaN % of GDP
143	Saudi Arabia	10 % of GDP
144	Yemen	7.9 % of GDP
145	Syrian Arab Republic	5.9 % of GDP
146	Singapore	4.9 % of GDP
147	Tajikistan	3.9 % of GDP
148	Rwanda	2.9 % of GDP
149	Saint Kitts and Nevis	NaN % of GDP
150	Turkey	5.3 % of GDP
151	Turkmenistan	3.4 % of GDP
152	United States	3.3 % of GDP
153	Taiwan	2.7 % of GDP
154	Vietnam	2.5 % of GDP
155	Namibia	2.5 % of GDP
156	United Kingdom	2.4 % of GDP
157	Sweden	2.1 % of GDP
158	Uganda	2.1 % of GDP
159	Uruguay	2 % of GDP
160	Uzbekistan	2 % of GDP
161	Togo	1.9 % of GDP
162	Seychelles	1.8 % of GDP
163	Thailand	1.8 % of GDP
164	Eswatini	1.8 % of GDP
165	South Africa	1.7 % of GDP
166	Slovenia	1.7 % of GDP
167	Burkina Faso	1.6 % of GDP
168	Senegal	1.5 % of GDP
169	Sierra Leone	1.5 % of GDP
170	San Marino	NaN % of GDP
171	Zimbabwe	1.7 % of GDP
172	Tunisia	1.5 % of GDP
173	Ukraine	1.4 % of GDP
174	Venezuela	1.3 % of GDP
175	Spain	1.2 % of GDP
176	Switzerland	1 % of GDP
177	Somalia	0.9 % of GDP
178	Saint Lucia	NaN % of GDP
179	Sao Tome and Principe	0.8 % of GDP
180	Trinidad and Tobago	0.6 % of GDP
181	Tonga	NaN % of GDP
182	Timor-Leste	NaN % of GDP
183	Tuvalu	NaN % of GDP
184	Tanzania	0.2 % of GDP
185	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	NaN % of GDP
186	Samoa	NaN % of GDP
187	Zambia	0.9 % of GDP

↑Top 10 Countries

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

↓Bottom 10 Countries

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Analysis & Context

In 2004, North Korea led the world in Military Expenditures (% of GDP) with a staggering 22.9%, while the global range spanned from 0.11% to 22.9%. The average military spending as a percentage of GDP across the 164 countries with available data was 2.69%, with a median value of 1.90%. These figures highlight significant disparities in national defense priorities and economic allocations across different regions and political landscapes.

High Military Expenditures: Strategic and Political Motivations

The countries with the highest military expenditures as a percentage of GDP in 2004, such as North Korea (22.9%), Jordan (20.2%), and Eritrea (11.8%), reflect strategic and political motivations. For North Korea, high military spending is deeply rooted in its geopolitical isolation and the perceived need to deter external threats. Similarly, Jordan's significant increase to 20.2% may be attributed to regional instability and defense needs amidst ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts. In Eritrea, the prolonged border conflict with Ethiopia has historically necessitated high military expenditures, resulting in a substantial allocation of national resources to defense.

Low Military Expenditures: Economic and Policy Considerations

On the other end of the spectrum, countries like Bermuda (0.11%), Mauritius (0.2%), and Tanzania (0.2%) exhibit minimal military expenditures relative to their GDP. These nations often prioritize economic development and social programs over defense, reflecting stable geopolitical environments and strategic alliances that reduce the necessity for large military budgets. For instance, Costa Rica (0.4%) is well-known for its policy of demilitarization, having abolished its military in 1948, which allows it to allocate resources to education and healthcare instead.

Year-over-Year Trends: Notable Increases and Decreases

The year-over-year analysis of military expenditures in 2004 reveals intriguing shifts. Jordan experienced the largest increase, with its military spending as a percentage of GDP skyrocketing by 11.60%—a 134.9% rise—likely due to heightened security concerns in the region. Conversely, Mali saw the most significant reduction, with a decrease of 13.70%—a dramatic 91.3% drop—possibly reflecting a shift in government priorities towards economic stabilization and development.

Other notable changes include Yemen, which increased its military expenditures by 2.70% (51.9%) amidst internal conflicts, and Mozambique, which saw a 120.0% rise, potentially due to post-civil war restructuring efforts. Meanwhile, North Korea reduced its expenditure by 11.00%, a 32.4% decrease, which may indicate economic pressures or strategic recalibrations.

Global Implications and Observations

The global landscape of military expenditures as a percentage of GDP in 2004 underscores a complex interplay of factors including geopolitical tensions, economic conditions, and national policies. The stark contrast between countries with high and low expenditures highlights differing national priorities and security strategies. For nations with minimal military spending, the focus often remains on economic development and social welfare, leveraging international alliances for security assurance. In contrast, countries with high military budgets are frequently driven by regional conflicts, perceived threats, or strategic doctrines that prioritize defense capabilities.

Understanding these dynamics provides valuable insights into the allocation of national resources and the strategic considerations that shape global military spending patterns. As geopolitical landscapes continue to evolve, analyzing such expenditures remains crucial in assessing the balance between defense needs and economic development across diverse national contexts.

Data Source

CIA World Factbook

The World Factbook, also known as the CIA World Factbook, was a reference resource produced by the US Central Intelligence Agency between 1962 and 2026 with almanac-style information about the countries of the world. From 1971 it was not classified, and available to the public in print since 1975, initially by the CIA, and later the Government Publishing Office.

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Historical Data by Year

Explore Military Expenditures (% of GDP) data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.

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