斯德哥尔摩国际和平研究所-Trends-in-world-military-expenditure-2018_12页_2mb

Summary of Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2018

Core Content

World military expenditure in 2018 was estimated at $1822 billion, reflecting a 2.6% real increase from 2017 and a 5.4% real increase from 2009. This marks a gradual rise following a post-2009 low in 2014. The global military burden, measured as a share of global GDP, fell to 2.1%, equaling the post-Cold War low of 2014. Military spending per capita increased from $230 in 2017 to $239 in 2018, outpacing the 1.1% population growth.

Main Trends and Key Information

Top 15 Military Spenders in 2018

• The top 5 spenders were:

  • United States ($649 billion, 36% of global spending)
  • China ($250 billion, 14% of global spending)
  • Saudi Arabia ($67.6 billion, 3.7%)
  • India ($66.5 billion, 3.7%)
  • France ($63.8 billion, 3.5%)

• The top 15 countries accounted for 81% of global military spending and $1470 billion in 2018.

• Russia moved from 4th to 6th place, due to a decrease in spending.

• NATO members (USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Turkey) accounted for 48% of global military spending in 2018, with total spending by all 29 members at $963 billion.

Regional Trends

• Americas: Military spending increased by 4.4% in 2018, the first rise since 2010. Total spending was $735 billion or 40% of global military spending.
• Asia and Oceania: Spent $507 billion (28% of global spending), with a 46% real increase between 2009 and 2018. The region has seen continuous growth since 1988.
• Europe: Spent $364 billion (20% of global spending), with a 1.4% real increase in 2018. Spending increased in Central and Western Europe, but decreased in Eastern Europe.
• Africa: Military spending fell by 8.4% to $40.6 billion (2.2% of global spending), marking the fourth consecutive year of decline. Spending in sub-Saharan Africa was $18.4 billion, down by 11% from 2017 and 21% from 2009.

Key National Trends

• United States: Military spending rose by 4.6% in 2018 to $649 billion, the first increase in seven years. Despite this, it remained 19% below its 2010 peak.
• China: Military spending increased by 5.0% in 2018, the lowest growth rate since 1995. It has grown 83% over the decade 2009–2018, and now accounts for 14% of global military spending.
• India: Military spending increased by 29% over the decade and 3.1% in 2018. It now accounts for 3.7% of global military spending.
• Saudi Arabia: Military spending decreased by 6.5% in 2018, but remained the third-largest spender.
• Russia: Military spending decreased by 3.5% in 2018, but is still 27% higher than in 2009.
• France: Moved up to 5th place in the global rankings due to Russia's drop in spending.
• Nigeria: Increased its military spending for the first time in six years by 18% to $2.0 billion.
• Venezuela: No reliable data for 2018, but its spending fell by 71% since 2013 due to economic crisis.
• Malaysia: Military spending decreased by 8.2% in 2018, the third consecutive year of decline.
• Afghanistan: Military spending increased by 6.7% in 2018 to $198 million, despite a 26% drop since 2009. Most of the financial burden of the war in Afghanistan was shouldered by the USA.

Conclusion

• The global military expenditure trend shows steady growth since 2009, with real increases in most regions.
• Asia and Oceania had the highest real growth (46%) between 2009 and 2018, driven mainly by China.
• Africa continues to see declining military spending, with sub-Saharan Africa experiencing the largest relative decrease.
• NATO countries remain the major contributors to global military expenditure, with the USA still the largest single spender.
• Military spending per capita increased in 2018, indicating a growing global military burden despite a slight decline in the share of global GDP.