Afghanistan Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Afghanistan's military spending was 1.83% in 2021, ranked 99th globally. This represents a 34.5% increase from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2021.
Overview
Afghanistan's military spending stood at 1.83% in 2021, a rise of +0.47% from 2020. Afghanistan ranked 99th globally.
Afghanistan's military spending has fluctuated significantly over the years, with a peak of 2.57 in 2007, during a period of heightened conflict, and a trough of 0.95 in 2017, reflecting a shift in global priorities and funding. As of 2021, the country's military spending stands at 1.83, ranking 99th globally, closely aligned with peer countries such as Cyprus, which has a similar expenditure of 1.78. In comparison to other peers, Afghanistan's spending is slightly below that of Romania and Türkiye, which have expenditures of 1.85 and 1.86, respectively. The country's military spending has been influenced by various factors, including international involvement and domestic security concerns. Looking ahead, a change in the regional security landscape or a shift in international support could potentially alter the trajectory of Afghanistan's military spending trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.83% | +0.47% | #99 |
| 2020 | 1.36% | +0.19% | #60 |
| 2019 | 1.17% | +0.16% | #50 |
| 2018 | 1.01% | +0.06% | #40 |
| 2017 | 0.95% | −0.01% | #37 |
| 2016 | 0.96% | −0.04% | #35 |
| 2015 | 0.99% | −0.30% | #41 |
| 2014 | 1.30% | +0.22% | #72 |
| 2013 | 1.08% | −0.10% | #53 |
| 2012 | 1.18% | −0.65% | #58 |
| 2011 | 1.82% | −0.12% | #98 |
| 2010 | 1.95% | −0.14% | #99 |
| 2009 | 2.09% | −0.25% | #101 |
| 2008 | 2.34% | −0.23% | #110 |
| 2007 | 2.57% | +0.67% | #110 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Afghanistan matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2022. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw military spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Afghanistan's military spending was 1.83% in 2021. Ranked 99th globally. This represents a 34.5% increase from the previous year.
Afghanistan's military spending peaked at 2.57% in 2007.
The lowest military spending in Afghanistan was 0.95% in 2017.
Afghanistan ranks 99th globally in military spending as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The military spending of Afghanistan in 2021 was 1.83%. This ranks 99th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_afghanistan_military-spending,
title = {Afghanistan Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/afghanistan/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}