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Military expenditure (% of GDP) — all countries

Military expenditure (% of GDP) — Central America

Military expenditure (% of GDP) in Central America in 2024 — 0.88%. Since 1968, the indicator has risen by 0.26 pp.

2024 0.88% +0.2 pp vs 2023
World rank —
Period maximum 0.88%1985
Period minimum 0.32%2006

Trend over time

1968–2024 · % of GDP

Military expenditure (% of GDP) — Central America, 1968–20240.20.40.60.8119681974198019861992199820042010201620221968: 0.62%1969: 0.65%1970: 0.6%1971: 0.56%1972: 0.62%1973: 0.6%1974: 0.62%1975: 0.64%1976: 0.68%1977: 0.67%1978: 0.64%1979: 0.63%1980: 0.52%1981: 0.63%1982: 0.63%1983: 0.7%1984: 0.87%1985: 0.88%1987: 0.84%1988: 0.76%1989: 0.72%1990: 0.56%1991: 0.54%1992: 0.55%1993: 0.46%1994: 0.52%1995: 0.47%1996: 0.48%1997: 0.46%1998: 0.44%1999: 0.45%2000: 0.43%2001: 0.44%2002: 0.42%2003: 0.42%2004: 0.37%2005: 0.36%2006: 0.32%2007: 0.4%2008: 0.39%2009: 0.5%2010: 0.45%2011: 0.47%2012: 0.48%2013: 0.51%2014: 0.51%2015: 0.48%2016: 0.51%2017: 0.46%2018: 0.49%2019: 0.54%2020: 0.73%2021: 0.67%2022: 0.7%2023: 0.67%2024: 0.88%
Change over the period: +0.26 pp Annual average: 0 pp

Comparison, 2024

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Central America

Central America 0.88%
World 2.47%
Military expenditure (% of GDP) — Central America, by year Central America All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2024 0.88 +0.2 pp
2023 0.67 −0.03 pp
2022 0.7 +0.03 pp
2021 0.67 −0.06 pp
2020 0.73 +0.19 pp
2019 0.54 +0.05 pp
2018 0.49 +0.03 pp
2017 0.46 −0.05 pp
2016 0.51 +0.03 pp
2015 0.48 −0.03 pp
2014 0.51 +0 pp
2013 0.51 +0.03 pp
2012 0.48 +0.01 pp
2011 0.47 +0.01 pp
2010 0.45 −0.04 pp
2009 0.5 +0.1 pp
2008 0.39 −0 pp
2007 0.4 +0.08 pp
2006 0.32 −0.04 pp
2005 0.36 −0.01 pp
2004 0.37 −0.05 pp
2003 0.42 −0 pp
2002 0.42 −0.02 pp
2001 0.44 +0 pp
2000 0.43 −0.01 pp
1999 0.45 +0.01 pp
1998 0.44 −0.02 pp
1997 0.46 −0.03 pp
1996 0.48 +0.01 pp
1995 0.47 −0.04 pp
1994 0.52 +0.06 pp
1993 0.46 −0.09 pp
1992 0.55 +0.01 pp
1991 0.54 −0.02 pp
1990 0.56 −0.16 pp
1989 0.72 −0.05 pp
1988 0.76 −0.07 pp
1987 0.84 —
1985 0.88 +0.01 pp
1984 0.87 +0.17 pp
1983 0.7 +0.07 pp
1982 0.63 +0 pp
1981 0.63 +0.11 pp
1980 0.52 −0.1 pp
1979 0.63 −0.02 pp
1978 0.64 −0.03 pp
1977 0.67 −0.01 pp
1976 0.68 +0.04 pp
1975 0.64 +0.02 pp
1974 0.62 +0.01 pp
1973 0.6 −0.02 pp
1972 0.62 +0.06 pp
1971 0.56 −0.04 pp
1970 0.6 −0.05 pp
1969 0.65 +0.03 pp
1968 0.62 —

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 Central America

Defense Military expenditure in dollars

The absolute volume of defense spending in current US dollars.

Central America by year Defense Military expenditure share of the budget

What part of government spending goes to defense.

Central America by year Defense Armed forces personnel

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

Central America by year Economy Government consumption (% of GDP)

The share of GDP taken by government final consumption spending.

Central America by year
All indicators for Central America