Bahrain Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Bahrain's military spending was 2.79% in 2025, ranked 30th globally. This represents a 3.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1975–2025.
Overview
Bahrain's military spending stood at 2.79% in 2025, a decline of +0.11% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.79% by 2025. Bahrain ranked 30th globally.
Bahrain’s military expenditure has risen modestly from the all‑time trough of 1.53 % of GDP in 1975 to the latest 2025 level of 2.79 % of GDP, placing it 30th in the world. The sharpest surge occurred in the early 1980s, when spending peaked at 8.54 % of GDP in 1982, reflecting regional security tensions and the aftermath of the Iran–Iraq war. Over the subsequent four decades Bahrain’s share of GDP contracted gradually, stabilising around the mid‑2 % range; in 2025 it is virtually identical to Singapore’s 2.79 % and only marginally above Chad’s 2.76 %. The long‑term decline suggests a reallocation of fiscal resources toward diversification and social programmes, yet any resurgence in geopolitical risk or a shift in defense policy could reverse the downward trajectory, prompting a renewed uptick in spending.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 2.32% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 2.55% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 2.79% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.79% | −0.11% | #30 |
| 2024 | 2.89% | −0.63% | #122 |
| 2023 | 3.52% | +0.10% | #134 |
| 2022 | 3.42% | −0.10% | #134 |
| 2021 | 3.52% | −0.54% | #138 |
| 2020 | 4.06% | +0.03% | #140 |
| 2019 | 4.03% | −0.01% | #141 |
| 2018 | 4.04% | −0.28% | #144 |
| 2017 | 4.32% | −0.35% | #144 |
| 2016 | 4.67% | +0.03% | #143 |
| 2015 | 4.64% | +0.23% | #141 |
| 2014 | 4.42% | +0.28% | #144 |
| 2013 | 4.14% | +0.30% | #142 |
| 2012 | 3.84% | +0.25% | #137 |
| 2011 | 3.59% | +0.31% | #131 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bahrain matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw military spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Bahrain's military spending was 2.79% in 2025. Ranked 30th globally. This represents a 3.8% decrease from the previous year.
Bahrain's military spending peaked at 8.54% in 1982.
The lowest military spending in Bahrain was 1.53% in 1975.
Bahrain ranks 30th globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Bahrain's military spending is projected to reach 2.79% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Bahrain in 2025 was 2.79%. This ranks 30th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bahrain_military-spending,
title = {Bahrain Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bahrain/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}