Military Expenditures (% of GDP) 2014

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

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

View data for:

Interactive Map

Complete Data Rankings

Rank
1	United Arab Emirates	NaN % of GDP
2	Afghanistan	NaN % of GDP
3	Azerbaijan	5.2 % of GDP
4	Algeria	4.48 % of GDP
5	Angola	3.63 % of GDP
6	Colombia	3.28 % of GDP
7	Bahrain	3.14 % of GDP
8	Brunei Darussalam	2.43 % of GDP
9	Sri Lanka	2.43 % of GDP
10	Burundi	2.39 % of GDP
11	Botswana	2.31 % of GDP
12	Cyprus	2.05 % of GDP
13	Chile	2.04 % of GDP
14	China	1.99 % of GDP
15	Congo, Democratic Republic of the	1.72 % of GDP
16	Australia	1.71 % of GDP
17	Cambodia	1.54 % of GDP
18	Albania	1.47 % of GDP
19	Bolivia	1.47 % of GDP
20	Brazil	1.47 % of GDP
21	Bulgaria	1.46 % of GDP
22	Cameroon	1.42 % of GDP
23	Denmark	1.41 % of GDP
24	Bangladesh	1.35 % of GDP
25	Bosnia and Herzegovina	1.35 % of GDP
26	Canada	1.24 % of GDP
27	Belarus	1.2 % of GDP
28	Belgium	1.05 % of GDP
29	Benin	1.03 % of GDP
30	Argentina	0.91 % of GDP
31	Austria	0.81 % of GDP
32	Belize	NaN % of GDP
33	Chad	NaN % of GDP
34	Cabo Verde	NaN % of GDP
35	Israel	5.69 % of GDP
36	Jordan	4.65 % of GDP
37	Georgia	2.88 % of GDP
38	Iraq	2.88 % of GDP
39	Ecuador	2.83 % of GDP
40	South Korea	2.8 % of GDP
41	India	2.43 % of GDP
42	Estonia	2 % of GDP
43	Kenya	1.96 % of GDP
44	France	1.8 % of GDP
45	Egypt	1.72 % of GDP
46	Greece	1.72 % of GDP
47	Croatia	1.7 % of GDP
48	Italy	1.69 % of GDP
49	Côte d'Ivoire	1.65 % of GDP
50	Finland	1.47 % of GDP
51	Fiji	1.47 % of GDP
52	Germany	1.35 % of GDP
53	Gabon	1.34 % of GDP
54	Kazakhstan	1.21 % of GDP
55	Guyana	1.09 % of GDP
56	Czech Republic	1.08 % of GDP
57	Honduras	1.05 % of GDP
58	El Salvador	0.99 % of GDP
59	Japan	0.99 % of GDP
60	Ethiopia	0.91 % of GDP
61	Jamaica	0.86 % of GDP
62	Hungary	0.83 % of GDP
63	Indonesia	0.78 % of GDP
64	Dominican Republic	0.61 % of GDP
65	Ireland	0.55 % of GDP
66	Guatemala	0.42 % of GDP
67	Ghana	0.27 % of GDP
68	Iceland	0.13 % of GDP
69	Kyrgyzstan	NaN % of GDP
70	Kuwait	0 % of GDP
71	Laos	NaN % of GDP
72	South Sudan	10.32 % of GDP
73	Oman	8.61 % of GDP
74	Lebanon	4.04 % of GDP
75	Morocco	3.55 % of GDP
76	Pakistan	3.04 % of GDP
77	Lesotho	1.94 % of GDP
78	Poland	1.91 % of GDP
79	Montenegro	1.87 % of GDP
80	Paraguay	1.66 % of GDP
81	Malaysia	1.55 % of GDP
82	Mali	1.44 % of GDP
83	Norway	1.4 % of GDP
84	North Macedonia	1.38 % of GDP
85	Portugal	1.29 % of GDP
86	Peru	1.28 % of GDP
87	Netherlands	1.27 % of GDP
88	New Zealand	1.13 % of GDP
89	Slovakia	1.12 % of GDP
90	Mongolia	1.12 % of GDP
91	Niger	1.06 % of GDP
92	Lithuania	0.97 % of GDP
93	Malawi	0.93 % of GDP
94	Latvia	0.92 % of GDP
95	Nigeria	0.89 % of GDP
96	Liberia	0.82 % of GDP
97	Madagascar	0.69 % of GDP
98	Nicaragua	0.63 % of GDP
99	Malta	0.61 % of GDP
100	Luxembourg	0.6 % of GDP
101	Mexico	0.59 % of GDP
102	Papua New Guinea	0.54 % of GDP
103	Republic of Moldova	0.3 % of GDP
104	Mauritius	0.19 % of GDP
105	Nepal	NaN % of GDP
106	Saudi Arabia	7.98 % of GDP
107	Russia	4.47 % of GDP
108	United States	4.35 % of GDP
109	Yemen	4.02 % of GDP
110	Singapore	3.52 % of GDP
111	Eswatini	3.17 % of GDP
112	Namibia	3.11 % of GDP
113	Zimbabwe	2.94 % of GDP
114	Timor-Leste	2.92 % of GDP
115	Ukraine	2.77 % of GDP
116	United Kingdom	2.49 % of GDP
117	Vietnam	2.37 % of GDP
118	Turkey	2.31 % of GDP
119	Serbia	2.21 % of GDP
120	Uruguay	1.95 % of GDP
121	Guinea-Bissau	1.85 % of GDP
122	Tunisia	1.55 % of GDP
123	Zambia	1.55 % of GDP
124	Thailand	1.47 % of GDP
125	Uganda	1.45 % of GDP
126	Burkina Faso	1.39 % of GDP
127	Romania	1.29 % of GDP
128	Philippines	1.19 % of GDP
129	Slovenia	1.18 % of GDP
130	Sweden	1.18 % of GDP
131	Tanzania	1.13 % of GDP
132	Rwanda	1.12 % of GDP
133	Venezuela	1.05 % of GDP
134	South Africa	1 % of GDP
135	Seychelles	0.89 % of GDP
136	Spain	0.86 % of GDP
137	Switzerland	0.76 % of GDP
138	Sierra Leone	0.72 % of GDP
139	Togo	NaN % 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 2014, South Sudan led the world in Military Expenditures (% of GDP) with a staggering 10.32%, while the global range spanned from 0.00% to 10.32%. The average military expenditure across 130 countries was 1.89%, providing a baseline for comparison against more militarized economies.

Top Spenders and Geopolitical Context

The countries with the highest military expenditures as a percentage of GDP in 2014 reflect significant geopolitical tensions and strategic priorities. South Sudan, at the top, was embroiled in internal conflict, necessitating substantial defense spending. Similarly, Oman (8.61%) and Saudi Arabia (7.98%) prioritized military investment to maintain regional influence and counter perceived threats, particularly from Iran and ongoing instability in neighboring Yemen.

Israel, with a military expenditure of 5.69%, reflects its long-standing security concerns and regional tensions. The high figures for Azerbaijan (5.2%) and Jordan (4.65%) can be attributed to their strategic locations and security challenges, including border tensions and refugee crises from neighboring conflicts.

Minimal Expenditures and Economic Priorities

On the opposite end, countries with minimal military expenditures, such as Kuwait (0.00%) and Iceland (0.13%), demonstrate alternative national priorities or reliance on strategic alliances for defense. For instance, Kuwait benefits from security guarantees by larger allies, allowing it to allocate resources elsewhere.

Similarly, Mauritius (0.19%) and Ghana (0.27%) reflect economies focused on development rather than extensive military investment. These countries often prioritize economic growth and social programs over defense spending, a trend common in nations with stable domestic and regional environments.

Year-Over-Year Changes and Strategic Shifts

The year 2014 saw significant shifts in military expenditures due to changing geopolitical and economic conditions. Azerbaijan experienced a 100% increase in its military spending, reflecting its strategic focus on regional power dynamics. Similarly, Lebanon increased its military expenditure by 61.6%, driven by the need to address internal security challenges and spillovers from the Syrian conflict.

Conversely, Iraq saw a dramatic reduction of 66.5% in military spending, a potential result of budgetary constraints amid ongoing conflict. The striking drop in Kuwait's military expenditure by 100% could indicate a strategic decision to rely more heavily on international military cooperation and support.

Global Trends and Economic Implications

The average global military expenditure as a percentage of GDP decreased by 5.5% in 2014, reflecting a broader trend of reallocating resources towards economic development and social welfare. This shift can be observed in countries like North Macedonia, which decreased its military spending by 77.0%, and Madagascar with an 86.5% reduction, prioritizing economic stabilization over defense.

Such shifts underscore the complex interplay between economic constraints, security needs, and national priorities. Countries with robust economies or significant external security assurances often choose to invest in sectors other than defense, aligning with broader development goals and international cooperation frameworks.

Overall, the data from 2014 illustrates diverse national strategies in military spending, shaped by unique geopolitical contexts, economic capabilities, and security imperatives. These expenditures not only reflect immediate defense needs but also broader national priorities, influencing global economic and security landscapes.

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.

Visit Data Source

Historical Data by Year

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

2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990

More Economy Facts

Agriculture Value Added as a Share of GDP by Country

Explore the agriculture value added as a share of GDP by country, measuring the economic impact of farming sectors. This statistic highlights the importance of agriculture in national economies and informs investment decisions.

View data

Browse All Economy

Explore more facts and statistics in this category

All Categories

Discover more categories with comprehensive global data