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Military expenditure (% of GDP) — all countries

Military expenditure (% of GDP) — Lower-middle-income countries

Military expenditure (% of GDP) in lower-middle-income countries in 2024 — 2.71%. Since 1987, the indicator has fallen by 1.6 pp.

2024 2.71% −0.04 pp vs 2023
World rank —
Period maximum 4.31%1987
Period minimum 2.04%2019

Trend over time

1987–2024 · % of GDP

Military expenditure (% of GDP) — Lower-middle-income countries, 1987–2024234519871991199519992003200720112015201920231987: 4.31%1988: 4.17%1989: 3.69%1990: 3.18%1991: 2.81%1992: 2.66%1993: 2.62%1994: 2.61%1995: 2.49%1996: 2.34%1997: 2.38%1998: 2.35%1999: 2.64%2000: 2.59%2001: 2.59%2002: 2.51%2003: 2.42%2004: 2.45%2005: 2.46%2006: 2.36%2007: 2.23%2008: 2.26%2009: 2.54%2010: 2.37%2011: 2.19%2012: 2.18%2013: 2.11%2014: 2.11%2015: 2.11%2016: 2.18%2017: 2.18%2018: 2.08%2019: 2.04%2020: 2.19%2021: 2.08%2022: 2.41%2023: 2.75%2024: 2.71%
Change over the period: −1.6 pp Annual average: -0.04 pp

Comparison, 2024

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Lower-middle-income countries

Lower-middle-income countries 2.71%
World 2.47%
Military expenditure (% of GDP) — Lower-middle-income countries, by year Lower-middle-income countries All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2024 2.71 −0.04 pp
2023 2.75 +0.34 pp
2022 2.41 +0.34 pp
2021 2.08 −0.11 pp
2020 2.19 +0.15 pp
2019 2.04 −0.04 pp
2018 2.08 −0.1 pp
2017 2.18 +0 pp
2016 2.18 +0.07 pp
2015 2.11 −0.01 pp
2014 2.11 +0.01 pp
2013 2.11 −0.08 pp
2012 2.18 −0.01 pp
2011 2.19 −0.18 pp
2010 2.37 −0.17 pp
2009 2.54 +0.28 pp
2008 2.26 +0.03 pp
2007 2.23 −0.12 pp
2006 2.36 −0.11 pp
2005 2.46 +0.01 pp
2004 2.45 +0.03 pp
2003 2.42 −0.09 pp
2002 2.51 −0.08 pp
2001 2.59 +0 pp
2000 2.59 −0.05 pp
1999 2.64 +0.29 pp
1998 2.35 −0.03 pp
1997 2.38 +0.04 pp
1996 2.34 −0.15 pp
1995 2.49 −0.12 pp
1994 2.61 −0.01 pp
1993 2.62 −0.04 pp
1992 2.66 −0.15 pp
1991 2.81 −0.36 pp
1990 3.18 −0.51 pp
1989 3.69 −0.48 pp
1988 4.17 −0.14 pp
1987 4.31 —

About the indicator

Military expenditure as a percent of GDP under the SIPRI definition: current and capital spending on the armed forces, including peacekeeping forces, defense ministries, paramilitary forces, military R&D, pensions of military personnel and military aid. The NATO benchmark for member states is at least 2% of GDP.

Source: Military Expenditure Database (SIPRI), license SIPRI terms of use.

Other indicators for lower-middle-income countries

Defense Military expenditure in dollars

The absolute volume of defense spending in current US dollars.

Lower-middle-income countries by year Defense Military expenditure share of the budget

What part of government spending goes to defense.

Lower-middle-income countries by year Defense Armed forces personnel

The number of active-duty military personnel and paramilitary forces.

Lower-middle-income countries by year Economy Government consumption (% of GDP)

The share of GDP taken by government final consumption spending.

Lower-middle-income countries by year
All indicators for lower-middle-income countries