Military spending's share of the world economy
This chart tracks military expenditure as a share of the world economy. It uses the World Bank’s SIPRI-sourced global series; the ratio measures spending relative to GDP, not military capability, purchasing power, conflict risk, or inflation-adjusted growth in budgets.
What does it show?
Military spending has risen recently but remains far below its Cold War share of the world economy.
Methodology
World aggregate for military expenditure as a share of GDP from World Bank indicator MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS, sourced by the World Bank from SIPRI's Military Expenditure Database. The annual series uses SIPRI's definition of military expenditure and the World Bank's published world aggregate. It measures the share of current economic output devoted to military expenditure, not real spending growth, military capability, or conflict risk. The latest year can be revised as country estimates and GDP data change.