斯德哥尔摩国际和平研究所-Trends-in-world-military-expenditure-2014_8页_2mb

Summary of Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2014

Core Content

In 2014, global military expenditure reached an estimated $1776 billion, marking a 0.4% real-term decline from 2013. This is the third consecutive year of decline, though the reductions were relatively small. Military spending remained 1.7% below its 2011 peak, and significantly higher than in the late 1980s.

Main Trends

Global Overview

• Total military expenditure equaled 2.3% of global GDP in 2014.
• North America, Western and Central Europe, and Latin America saw overall declines in military spending.
• Asia and Oceania, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Africa experienced increases.
• Excluding the USA, the 'rest of the world' has seen a continuous increase in military expenditure since 1998, rising by 3.1% in 2014.

Top 15 Military Spenders

• The top 15 spenders in 2014 remained the same as in 2013, though some rankings changed.
• The USA was the largest spender, at $610 billion, but saw a 6.5% real-term decrease due to deficit reduction measures.
• China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia were the second, third, and fourth highest spenders, respectively, with China and Russia increasing by 9.7% and 8.1%, and Saudi Arabia by 17%.
• India moved up to 7th place, while Brazil and Italy swapped positions.
• Australia also increased its spending by 6.8%, following three years of cuts.

Regional Trends

Asia and Oceania

• Military spending increased by 5% in 2014 and 62% since 2005, reaching $439 billion.
• China was the main driver of growth, with a 9.7% increase.
• Viet Nam continued its rapid rise, with a 9.6% increase in 2014, while Indonesia saw a 10% decrease.

Europe

• Military expenditure in Europe increased by 0.6%, reaching $386 billion.
• Eastern Europe saw a 8.4% increase, while Western and Central Europe decreased by 1.9%.
• Ukraine had a 23% increase, and Russia increased by 8.1%.
• Poland, Lithuania, and the Baltic states increased spending, while Italy, Greece, and Portugal saw declines.

The Middle East

• Military spending in the Middle East increased by 5.2%, reaching $196 billion.
• The largest increases were in Iraq (15%), Bahrain (126%), Saudi Arabia (17%), and UAE (135%).
• Oman and Yemen saw significant decreases, but the overall trend is still upward.

Latin America and the Caribbean

• Military expenditure was essentially flat, at $705 billion.
• South America saw a 1.3% real-term decrease, while Central America and the Caribbean increased by 9.1%.
• Mexico increased by 11%, driven by its efforts against drug cartels.

Africa

• Africa had the largest year-on-year increase in military expenditure, at 5.9%, reaching $50.2 billion.
• Military spending in the region increased by 91% since 2005.
• Algeria and Angola were the top spenders, with Algeria increasing by 12% and Angola by 6.7%.
• Nigeria saw a 9.3% decrease in military spending, but it remains 79% higher than in 2005.

Key Information

Military Burden

• A military burden (military spending as a share of GDP) is a key indicator of the economic impact of military spending.
• In 2014, 20 countries had a military burden of over 4% of GDP, up from 15 in 2013.
• Only 3 of these 20 countries are functioning democracies.
• Most of these countries were involved in armed conflict in 2013–14 or had a recent history of conflict.

Economic Context

• The USA remains the largest military spender, accounting for 34% of global expenditure, but its share is declining as other countries increase.
• China's military spending has remained relatively stable as a share of GDP, at 2–2.2% over the past decade.
• Russia and Saudi Arabia saw large increases, driven by conflict and oil revenues.
• The fall in oil prices in late 2014 may impact Saudi Arabia's ability to maintain high spending levels.

Conclusion

• While the USA reduced its military spending, other regions, especially Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, saw significant increases.
• The military burden has risen in many countries, particularly in conflict-prone regions.
• The SIPRI Military Expenditure Database is a key source of data, providing real-term and nominal figures, as well as GDP and per capita comparisons.