United States Military Expenditure
3.4%▲ +0.1%
Dec 2024 · Annual
United States military expenditure rose to 3.42 percent of GDP in 2024 from 3.30 percent in 2023. The figure remains well below the all-time high of 9.42 percent recorded in 1967 and above the series low of 3.09 percent in 1999. Data are available from 1960.
| Actual | Previous | Highest | Lowest | Dates | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4% | 3.3% | 9.4%Dec 1967 | 3.1%Dec 1999 | 1960 – 2024 | Annual |
Related indicators
| Indicator | Last | Previous | Highest | Lowest | Last updated | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Government Debt to GDP | 123.9% | 122.3% | 132.6% | 53.5% | Dec 2025 | Annual |
| Military Expenditure (USD) | $997.3B | $916.0B | $997.3B | $47.3B | Dec 2024 | Annual |
About this series
Military Expenditure in United States averaged 3.9% from 1960 until 2024, reaching an all-time high of 9.4% in Dec 1967 and a record low of 3.1% in Dec 1999. The series is reported yearly with history from 1960.
Military expenditure for the United States is expressed as a percentage of gross domestic product, reported annually. The data series begins in 1960 and continues through the latest observation, offering a historical perspective on defense spending relative to economic output.
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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