SIPRI data shows big increases in military spending in 2019

New data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) shows that global military expenditure rose to $1917 billion in 2019, an increase of 3.6 per cent over 2018 and the largest annual growth in spending since 2010. The comprehensive annual update from SIPRI is accessible on their website at: www.sipri.org

The figure covers all government spending on current military forces and activities, including salaries and benefits, operational expenses, arms and equipment purchases, military construction, research and development, and central administration, command and support.

The United States of America made up 38% of global expenditure at $732 billion, followed by China ($261 billion), India ($71.1 billion), Russia ($65.1 billion) and Saudi Arabia.

In Europe, Germany increased expenditure by 10%, to $49.3 billion, Bulgaria increased spending by 127% following payments for new aircraft, and Romania's spending increased by 17%.

Military expenditure in South America was relatively unchanged in 2019, at $52.8 billion; Brazil accounted for 51 per cent of total military expenditure on the continent.

The combined military expenditure of African states grew by 1.5% to an estimated $41.2 billion in 2019—the first time spending in the region increased for five years. Among Central African countries that were involved in armed conflict, military spending in 2019 rose overall. For example, the Central African Republic (8.7 per cent), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (16 per cent) and Uganda (52 per cent) all increased military spending in 2019.

The average military spending burden was 1.4 per cent of GDP for countries in the Americas, 1.6 per cent for Africa, 1.7 per cent for Asia and Oceania and for Europe and 4.5 per cent for the Middle East (in countries for which data is available).