Economy
Verified dataThe world is arming again
World military spending, adjusted for inflation, fell after the Cold War — but has since climbed to a real record of about $2.8 trillion in 2025, the steepest sustained rise in decades.
CSV · 9,112 rows · 1988–2025
In constant dollars, world military spending fell from about $1.8 trillion in 1988 to a low of $1.2 trillion in 1998, then rose to a record $2.8 trillion in 2025. It has increased every year since 2015, and the 2022–2025 surge is the fastest since the Cold War.
Key findings
- In constant dollars, world military spending has risen from a 1998 low of $1.2 trillion to a record $2.8 trillion in 2025.
- Spending has increased every year since 2015; the 2022–2025 jump is the fastest since the Cold War.
- As a share of the world economy, though, military spending remains well below Cold-War levels.
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Coverage: Jan 1, 1988 – Dec 31, 2025 · World
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Sources
Primary source
SIPRI Military Expenditure Database
via Our World in Data
Military expenditure (constant US$)
Accessed Aug 22, 2026
World total military spending, constant 2024 US$, 1988–2025.
Methodology
Total world military spending, 1988 to 2025, in constant 2024 US dollars (adjusted for inflation). Data are from the SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, distributed via Our World in Data. SIPRI's consistent world total begins in 1988; 1991 is not available.
What this does not show
Figures are in constant 2024 dollars — adjusted for inflation but not for differences in the cost of goods and labour between countries. This is total outlay, not spending as a share of GDP: measured against the size of the world economy, military spending remains well below its Cold-War levels.
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License: CC BY 4.0
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<figure style="margin:0;max-width:1600px">
<a href="https://chartive.org/visualizations/world-military-spending-1988-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
<img src="https://chartive.org/infographics/world-military-spending-1988-2025.png" alt="Area chart of world military spending in constant 2024 dollars, 1988 to 2025, falling from $1.8 trillion to a $1.2 trillion low in 1998, then rising to a record $2.8 trillion in 2025, with the 2021–2025 surge highlighted." width="1600" height="2133" style="max-width:100%;height:auto" />
</a>
<figcaption style="font:14px/1.4 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#57534e;margin-top:8px">
Graphic by Chartive Editorial, using data from SIPRI Military Expenditure Database — via <a href="https://chartive.org/visualizations/world-military-spending-1988-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chartive</a>
</figcaption>
</figure>Reuse is welcome — the embed keeps a link back to the source.