United Kingdom Military Expenditure
2.3%▲ +0.0%
Dec 2024 · Annual
United Kingdom's military expenditure stood at 2.28% of GDP in 2024, up from 2.23% in 2023. The figure remains above the all-time low of 1.94% recorded in 2018, but well below the peak of 7.09% in 1960. The series dates back to 1960.
| Actual | Previous | Highest | Lowest | Dates | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3% | 2.2% | 7.1%Dec 1960 | 1.9%Dec 2018 | 1960 – 2024 | Annual |
Related indicators
| Indicator | Last | Previous | Highest | Lowest | Last updated | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Government Debt to GDP | 102.3% | 99.9% | 104.8% | 28.4% | Dec 2025 | Annual |
| Military Expenditure (USD) | $81.8B | $75.3B | $81.8B | $5.1B | Dec 2024 | Annual |
About this series
Military Expenditure in United Kingdom averaged 2.5% from 1960 until 2024, reaching an all-time high of 7.1% in Dec 1960 and a record low of 1.9% in Dec 2018. The series is reported yearly with history from 1960.
Military expenditure measures the share of a country's gross domestic product allocated to defense spending, covering personnel, operations, and procurement. The indicator is reported annually as a percentage of GDP. Data for the United Kingdom are available from 1960, offering a long-term view of defense burden.
Source & methodology
We use primary economic sources for every country. See our methodology page for how we source and verify this data.
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