Military expenditure (% of GDP) — all countries

Military expenditure (% of GDP) — Southern Africa

Military expenditure (% of GDP) in Southern Africa in 2024 — 0.87%. Since 1977, the indicator has fallen by 4.32 pp.

2024 0.87% −0.03 pp vs 2023
World rank
Period maximum 5.19%1977
Period minimum 0.87%2024

Trend over time

1977–2024 · % of GDP

Military expenditure (% of GDP) — Southern Africa, 1977–2024024619771982198719921997200220072012201720221977: 5.19%1978: 4.51%1979: 3.84%1980: 3.3%1981: 3.62%1982: 3.6%1983: 3.58%1984: 3.67%1985: 3.67%1986: 3.79%1987: 4.19%1988: 4.6%1989: 4.32%1990: 3.94%1991: 3.29%1992: 2.88%1993: 2.55%1994: 2.58%1995: 2.15%1996: 1.8%1997: 1.65%1998: 1.49%1999: 1.39%2000: 1.49%2001: 1.61%2002: 1.66%2003: 1.59%2004: 1.46%2005: 1.33%2006: 1.25%2007: 1.16%2008: 1.17%2009: 1.23%2010: 1.14%2011: 1.13%2012: 1.15%2013: 1.14%2014: 1.18%2015: 1.19%2016: 1.18%2017: 1.13%2018: 1.07%2019: 1.06%2020: 1.14%2021: 0.98%2022: 0.95%2023: 0.9%2024: 0.87%
Change over the period: −4.32 pp Annual average: -0.09 pp

Comparison, 2024

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Southern Africa

Southern Africa 0.87%
World 2.47%
Military expenditure (% of GDP) — Southern Africa, by year Southern Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2024 0.87 −0.03 pp
2023 0.9 −0.04 pp
2022 0.95 −0.03 pp
2021 0.98 −0.16 pp
2020 1.14 +0.08 pp
2019 1.06 −0.01 pp
2018 1.07 −0.06 pp
2017 1.13 −0.05 pp
2016 1.18 −0.01 pp
2015 1.19 +0.01 pp
2014 1.18 +0.04 pp
2013 1.14 −0.01 pp
2012 1.15 +0.02 pp
2011 1.13 −0.01 pp
2010 1.14 −0.09 pp
2009 1.23 +0.06 pp
2008 1.17 +0.01 pp
2007 1.16 −0.08 pp
2006 1.25 −0.09 pp
2005 1.33 −0.13 pp
2004 1.46 −0.13 pp
2003 1.59 −0.07 pp
2002 1.66 +0.05 pp
2001 1.61 +0.12 pp
2000 1.49 +0.1 pp
1999 1.39 −0.09 pp
1998 1.49 −0.16 pp
1997 1.65 −0.15 pp
1996 1.8 −0.36 pp
1995 2.15 −0.42 pp
1994 2.58 +0.02 pp
1993 2.55 −0.33 pp
1992 2.88 −0.41 pp
1991 3.29 −0.65 pp
1990 3.94 −0.38 pp
1989 4.32 −0.29 pp
1988 4.6 +0.42 pp
1987 4.19 +0.4 pp
1986 3.79 +0.13 pp
1985 3.67 −0 pp
1984 3.67 +0.09 pp
1983 3.58 −0.01 pp
1982 3.6 −0.02 pp
1981 3.62 +0.32 pp
1980 3.3 −0.54 pp
1979 3.84 −0.67 pp
1978 4.51 −0.67 pp
1977 5.19

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.