Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2016

World military expenditure is estimated to have been $1686 billion in 2016, equivalent to 2.2 per cent of the global gross domestic product (GDP) or $227 per person. The 2016 estimate is a marginal increase of about 0.4 per cent in real terms on 2015.2 After 13 consecutive years of increases (from 1998 to 2011), world military spending has continued to plateau—with only minor decreases between 2011 and 2014 (an average of 0.7 per cent per annum) and slight increases in 2015 and 2016.

From 24 April 2017 the SIPRI Military Expenditure Database includes newly released information on military expenditure in 2016. This Fact Sheet describes the global, regional and national trends in military expenditure that are revealed by the new data.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/trends-in-world-military-expenditure-2015/

EUObserver, 24.04.17: Russia threat triggers European military spending hike https://euobserver.com/foreign/137645

SIPRI: Press Release, 24.04.17: World military spending: Increases in the USA and Europe, decreases in oil-exporting countries https://www.sipri.org/media/press-release/2017/world-military-spending-increases-usa-and-europe

TASS, 24.04.17: Swedish think tank puts Russia in world’s top three biggest defense spenders http://tass.com/defense/942815

The Japan Times, 24.04.17: Russia has reportedly boosted military spending despite sanctions https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/04/24/world/russia-reportedly-boosted-military-spending-despite-sanctions/

Deutsche Welle, 24.04.17: Global defense spending increases http://p.dw.com/p/2bkvZ

EurActiv, 26.04.17: Germany on cusp of new defence debate as military spending increases again http://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-policy/news/germany-on-cusp-of-new-defence-debate-as-military-spending-increases-again/

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