Argentina Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Argentina's military spending was 0.65% in 2025, ranked 131st globally. This represents a 5.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Argentina's military spending stood at 0.65% in 2025, a rise of +0.03% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.65% by 2025. Argentina ranked 131st globally.
Argentina’s military spending as a share of gross domestic product has fallen sharply from an all‑time peak of 4.72 % in 1978 to a trough of 0.62 % in 2024, before rising modestly to 0.65 % in 2025, ranking 131st globally. Over the 66‑year series the indicator shows a long‑term decline, reflecting successive waves of fiscal restraint, demobilisation after the Dirty War and the loss of external financing in the 2000s. The recent uptick to 0.65 % places Argentina just above peers such as Moldova (0.64 %) and Madagascar (0.68 %), but still below Switzerland (0.69 %). The modest rebound coincides with heightened regional security concerns and a modest increase in defence procurement, yet it remains well below the levels that characterised the late 1970s. If fiscal consolidation continues and the government prioritises social spending, the share of GDP devoted to the military is likely to stay near the current low‑single‑digit range, barring any major geopolitical shock.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 0.63% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 0.64% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.65% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.65% | +0.03% | #131 |
| 2024 | 0.62% | −0.14% | #15 |
| 2023 | 0.76% | +0.07% | #22 |
| 2022 | 0.68% | +0.05% | #22 |
| 2021 | 0.63% | −0.10% | #16 |
| 2020 | 0.73% | +0.03% | #20 |
| 2019 | 0.70% | −0.03% | #23 |
| 2018 | 0.73% | −0.12% | #26 |
| 2017 | 0.85% | +0.04% | #27 |
| 2016 | 0.81% | −0.04% | #25 |
| 2015 | 0.85% | −0.03% | #26 |
| 2014 | 0.88% | +0.04% | #29 |
| 2013 | 0.84% | +0.05% | #29 |
| 2012 | 0.78% | +0.02% | #26 |
| 2011 | 0.76% | −0.05% | #22 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Argentina matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw military spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Argentina's military spending was 0.65% in 2025. Ranked 131st globally. This represents a 5.5% increase from the previous year.
Argentina's military spending peaked at 4.72% in 1978.
The lowest military spending in Argentina was 0.62% in 2024.
Argentina ranks 131st globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Argentina's military spending is projected to reach 0.65% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Argentina in 2025 was 0.65%. This ranks 131st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_argentina_military-spending,
title = {Argentina Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/argentina/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}