Military Expenditures (% of GDP) 2020

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

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

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
1	Oman	8.8 % of GDP
2	Saudi Arabia	8 % of GDP
3	Algeria	6 % of GDP
4	United Arab Emirates	5.7 % of GDP
5	Kuwait	5.6 % of GDP
6	Israel	5 % of GDP
7	Jordan	4.7 % of GDP
8	Lebanon	4.2 % of GDP
9	Azerbaijan	4 % of GDP
10	Pakistan	4 % of GDP
11	Uzbekistan	4 % of GDP
12	Yemen	3.98 % of GDP
13	Russia	3.9 % of GDP
14	Ukraine	3.9 % of GDP
15	Iran	3.8 % of GDP
16	Bahrain	3.7 % of GDP
17	Iraq	3.5 % of GDP
18	South Sudan	3.5 % of GDP
19	United States	3.42 % of GDP
20	Brunei Darussalam	3.3 % of GDP
21	Bulgaria	3.25 % of GDP
22	Colombia	3.2 % of GDP
23	Singapore	3.2 % of GDP
24	Morocco	3.1 % of GDP
25	Togo	3.1 % of GDP
26	Namibia	3 % of GDP
27	Myanmar	2.9 % of GDP
28	Cuba	2.9 % of GDP
29	Botswana	2.8 % of GDP
30	Mauritania	2.8 % of GDP
31	Congo	2.7 % of GDP
32	South Korea	2.7 % of GDP
33	Mali	2.7 % of GDP
34	Tunisia	2.6 % of GDP
35	India	2.4 % of GDP
36	Burkina Faso	2.4 % of GDP
37	Cambodia	2.3 % of GDP
38	Ecuador	2.3 % of GDP
39	Vietnam	2.3 % of GDP
40	Greece	2.28 % of GDP
41	Chad	2.2 % of GDP
42	Serbia	2.2 % of GDP
43	Estonia	2.14 % of GDP
44	United Kingdom	2.14 % of GDP
45	Uganda	2.1 % of GDP
46	Romania	2.04 % of GDP
47	Lithuania	2.03 % of GDP
48	Latvia	2.01 % of GDP
49	Georgia	2 % of GDP
50	Guinea	2 % of GDP
51	Poland	2 % of GDP
52	Uruguay	2 % of GDP
53	Australia	1.9 % of GDP
54	Sri Lanka	1.9 % of GDP
55	China	1.9 % of GDP
56	Turkey	1.89 % of GDP
57	France	1.84 % of GDP
58	Burundi	1.8 % of GDP
59	Chile	1.8 % of GDP
60	Niger	1.8 % of GDP
61	Norway	1.8 % of GDP
62	Eswatini	1.8 % of GDP
63	Slovakia	1.74 % of GDP
64	Guyana	1.7 % of GDP
65	Taiwan	1.7 % of GDP
66	Croatia	1.68 % of GDP
67	Montenegro	1.66 % of GDP
68	Angola	1.6 % of GDP
69	Cyprus	1.6 % of GDP
70	Fiji	1.6 % of GDP
71	Gabon	1.6 % of GDP
72	Honduras	1.6 % of GDP
73	Jamaica	1.6 % of GDP
74	Nepal	1.6 % of GDP
75	Portugal	1.52 % of GDP
76	Brazil	1.5 % of GDP
77	Central African Republic	1.5 % of GDP
78	Finland	1.5 % of GDP
79	Kyrgyzstan	1.5 % of GDP
80	Lesotho	1.5 % of GDP
81	New Zealand	1.5 % of GDP
82	Senegal	1.5 % of GDP
83	Bolivia	1.4 % of GDP
84	Guinea-Bissau	1.4 % of GDP
85	Germany	1.38 % of GDP
86	Netherlands	1.36 % of GDP
87	Denmark	1.32 % of GDP
88	Canada	1.31 % of GDP
89	Albania	1.3 % of GDP
90	Bangladesh	1.3 % of GDP
91	Kenya	1.3 % of GDP
92	Seychelles	1.3 % of GDP
93	Thailand	1.3 % of GDP
94	Tanzania	1.3 % of GDP
95	Italy	1.22 % of GDP
96	Hungary	1.21 % of GDP
97	Afghanistan	1.2 % of GDP
98	Belize	1.2 % of GDP
99	Belarus	1.2 % of GDP
100	Egypt	1.2 % of GDP
101	El Salvador	1.2 % of GDP
102	North Macedonia	1.2 % of GDP
103	Peru	1.2 % of GDP
104	Rwanda	1.2 % of GDP
105	Tajikistan	1.2 % of GDP
106	Zambia	1.2 % of GDP
107	Czech Republic	1.19 % of GDP
108	Cameroon	1.1 % of GDP
109	Equatorial Guinea	1.1 % of GDP
110	Côte d'Ivoire	1.1 % of GDP
111	Kazakhstan	1.1 % of GDP
112	Sweden	1.1 % of GDP
113	Slovenia	1.04 % of GDP
114	Malaysia	1 % of GDP
115	Paraguay	1 % of GDP
116	Philippines	1 % of GDP
117	South Africa	1 % of GDP
118	Timor-Leste	1 % of GDP
119	Zimbabwe	1 % of GDP
120	Mozambique	0.99 % of GDP
121	Belgium	0.93 % of GDP
122	Japan	0.93 % of GDP
123	Spain	0.92 % of GDP
124	Bosnia and Herzegovina	0.9 % of GDP
125	Malawi	0.9 % of GDP
126	Gambia	0.8 % of GDP
127	Argentina	0.7 % of GDP
128	Austria	0.7 % of GDP
129	Benin	0.7 % of GDP
130	Congo, Democratic Republic of the	0.7 % of GDP
131	Dominican Republic	0.7 % of GDP
132	Ethiopia	0.7 % of GDP
133	Indonesia	0.7 % of GDP
134	Mongolia	0.7 % of GDP
135	Nicaragua	0.7 % of GDP
136	Sierra Leone	0.7 % of GDP
137	Switzerland	0.7 % of GDP
138	Trinidad and Tobago	0.7 % of GDP
139	Madagascar	0.6 % of GDP
140	Malta	0.6 % of GDP
141	Luxembourg	0.56 % of GDP
142	Cabo Verde	0.5 % of GDP
143	Liberia	0.5 % of GDP
144	Mexico	0.5 % of GDP
145	Nigeria	0.5 % of GDP
146	Venezuela	0.5 % of GDP
147	Ghana	0.4 % of GDP
148	Guatemala	0.4 % of GDP
149	Republic of Moldova	0.4 % of GDP
150	Papua New Guinea	0.4 % of GDP
151	Ireland	0.3 % of GDP
152	Iceland	0.3 % of GDP
153	Laos	0.2 % of GDP
154	Mauritius	0.2 % 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 2020, Oman led the world in Military Expenditures as a percentage of GDP, with a staggering 8.8%. The global range for Military Expenditures (% of GDP) spanned from a minimum of 0.20% to a maximum of 8.80%. The average Military Expenditure across the surveyed countries was 1.87%, providing a benchmark for understanding national defense priorities.

High Military Expenditure: Middle Eastern Dominance

The 2020 data reveals a pronounced concentration of high Military Expenditures (% of GDP) in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, with 8%, and Israel, at 5%, exemplify this trend. These countries, along with Oman, Algeria (6%), and the United Arab Emirates (5.7%), invest heavily in defense, driven by regional insecurity and geopolitical tensions. The substantial oil revenues in these nations allow for sustained high expenditure on military capabilities, underscoring defense as a strategic priority.

Low Military Expenditure: Economic Constraints or Strategic Choices?

On the opposite end of the spectrum, countries like Mauritius and Laos allocated a mere 0.2% of their GDP to military spending. Ireland and Iceland, both at 0.3%, also reflect minimal military investment. These figures often result from strategic choices prioritizing other sectors such as health and education, or economic constraints that limit available resources. Additionally, some countries rely on international alliances or geographical isolation to ensure security, reducing the need for extensive domestic military budgets.

Year-over-Year Trends: Significant Changes in Military Spending

The year-over-year trend analysis highlights both significant increases and decreases in Military Expenditures (% of GDP). South Sudan experienced the largest increase, with a 163.2% rise, reaching 2.17%. This spike is likely due to ongoing internal conflict and efforts to stabilize the country post-independence. Conversely, The Gambia saw the largest decrease, dropping by 73.3% to -2.20%. Such reductions may reflect shifts in government policy or economic challenges that necessitate reallocating funds to other pressing needs.

Global Average and Median: Insights into Defense Spending Patterns

The global average Military Expenditure in 2020 was 1.87%, with a median of 1.50%. These figures suggest a relatively balanced approach to military spending across many nations, aligning with global economic capabilities. Countries such as Jordan (4.7%) and Pakistan (4%) exceed these averages significantly, driven by regional security concerns. On the other hand, nations like Guatemala and Ghana, both at 0.4%, fall well below, reflecting different national priorities or economic realities.

Understanding the nuances behind Military Expenditures (% of GDP) requires examining a complex interplay of economic resources, geopolitical dynamics, and strategic priorities. This metric serves as a critical lens through which to assess how nations balance defense needs with other economic and social imperatives.

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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