斯德哥尔摩国际和平研究所-Trends-in-world-military-expenditure-2013_8页_3mb

Summary of Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2013

Core Content

In 2013, global military expenditure fell by 1.9 per cent in real terms, reaching $1747 billion. This marked the second consecutive year of decline, continuing a trend where military spending decreased in the West (North America, Western and Central Europe, and Oceania), while increasing in other regions. The total for the world excluding the United States increased by 1.8 per cent.

The five largest military spenders in 2013 were the United States, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and France. The United States saw a 7.8 per cent real-term decline due to reduced overseas operations. China increased by 7.4 per cent, reflecting its long-term policy of aligning military spending with economic growth. Russia's military spending rose by 4.8 per cent, surpassing the U.S. share of GDP for the first time since 2003. Saudi Arabia climbed from 7th to 4th place, while the UK dropped out of the top 5.

Key Trends by Region

Western and Central Europe

• Military spending decreased by 2.4 per cent in 2013.
• Most countries in the region continued to reduce spending due to austerity measures.
• Germany was an exception, with a 2 per cent increase in spending.
• France maintained its spending level despite weak economic growth.

Latin America

• Military expenditure increased by 2.2 per cent in real terms.
• South America saw a slower increase, mainly due to Brazil's 3.9 per cent decrease.
• Central America and the Caribbean experienced rapid growth, especially in Honduras (22 per cent), Nicaragua (18 per cent), and Guatemala (11 per cent), driven by drug-related violence.

Africa

• Africa had the highest relative increase in military spending, at 8.3 per cent, reaching $44.9 billion.
• Ghana more than doubled its spending, reaching $306 million, while Angola increased by 36 per cent, becoming the second-largest military spender in Africa.
• Algeria's spending rose by 8.8 per cent, reaching $10.4 billion, driven by regional power aspirations and terrorism threats.
• Military burden in Africa reached 4.8 per cent of GDP in Angola and Algeria.

Asia and Oceania

• Military expenditure increased by 3.6 per cent, reaching $407 billion.
• China accounted for most of the increase, with a 7.4 per cent rise.
• In Oceania, Australia saw a decline in spending, while in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam increased their spending due to territorial disputes with China.

Middle East

• Military expenditure rose by 4 per cent in real terms, reaching an estimated $150 billion.
• Iraq and Bahrain had the largest increases, at 27 per cent and 26 per cent respectively.
• Oman's spending fell by 27 per cent, but it remained 31 per cent higher than in 2011.
• Saudi Arabia increased by 14 per cent, becoming the fourth-largest military spender.

Countries That Doubled Military Spending (2004–2013)

A total of 23 countries doubled their military expenditure in real terms between 2004 and 2013, with increases driven by:

• Economic growth: For example, China and Angola.
• High oil or gas revenues: Such as in Ghana, Algeria, and Angola.
• Armed conflict or instability: Including Afghanistan, which saw a 557 per cent increase since 2004, and countries like Honduras and Ecuador.

Key Figures

• Top 15 spenders in 2013: USA ($640 billion), China ($188 billion), Russia ($87.8 billion), Saudi Arabia ($67.0 billion), France ($61.2 billion), UK ($57.9 billion), Germany ($48.8 billion), Japan ($48.6 billion), India ($47.4 billion), South Korea ($33.9 billion), Italy ($32.7 billion), Brazil ($31.5 billion), Australia ($24.0 billion), Turkey ($19.1 billion), UAE ($19.0 billion).
• Military burden as a share of GDP:
  • USA: 3.8%
  • China: 2.0%
  • Russia: 4.1%
  • Saudi Arabia: 9.3%
  • Oman: 11.3%

Methodology and Data Sources

• The SIPRI Military Expenditure Database includes data from 172 countries for the period 1988–2013.
• Data is provided in local currency (current prices) and in US dollars (constant 2012 prices).
• The definition of military expenditure includes all current and capital spending on armed forces, defence ministries, paramilitary forces, and military space activities.
• Excludes civil defence and past military costs such as veterans' benefits and demobilization.

Conclusion

The 2013 data highlights a global shift in military spending patterns, with the West experiencing declines while other regions, particularly Africa and Asia, saw significant increases. The factors driving these changes include economic growth, resource wealth, and security threats. SIPRI's database provides a comprehensive and consistent source of military expenditure data, based on open sources and government reports.