Bangladesh Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Bangladesh's military spending was 0.80% in 2025, ranked 123rd globally. This represents a 15.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1973–2025.
Overview
Bangladesh's military spending stood at 0.80% in 2025, a decline of +0.15% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.80% by 2025. Bangladesh ranked 123rd globally.
Bangladesh’s military expenditure as a share of gross domestic product has risen modestly since the early 1970s, moving from a trough of 0.60 % in 1974 to an all‑time peak of 1.58 % in 1999, before settling at 0.80 % in 2025, which places the country 123rd globally. Over the 53‑year series the upward trajectory after the late‑1990s peak reflects gradual modernization and procurement programmes, yet the 2025 level remains comparable to peers such as Belize (0.80 %) and slightly below Mexico (0.83 %). The long‑run average of roughly 0.90 % suggests a relatively restrained defence budget in a region where many neighbours allocate higher shares to security. Future shifts in the trajectory will likely depend on geopolitical developments in South Asia and domestic fiscal priorities, with any escalation in regional tensions or strategic realignments expected to push the share upward.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 0.63% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 0.71% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.80% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.80% | −0.15% | #123 |
| 2024 | 0.94% | +0.02% | #34 |
| 2023 | 0.92% | −0.07% | #31 |
| 2022 | 0.99% | −0.18% | #37 |
| 2021 | 1.17% | −0.08% | #50 |
| 2020 | 1.24% | +0.00% | #49 |
| 2019 | 1.24% | +0.09% | #58 |
| 2018 | 1.15% | +0.03% | #53 |
| 2017 | 1.13% | −0.10% | #52 |
| 2016 | 1.23% | +0.02% | #61 |
| 2015 | 1.21% | +0.07% | #65 |
| 2014 | 1.14% | +0.02% | #60 |
| 2013 | 1.11% | −0.07% | #57 |
| 2012 | 1.18% | −0.04% | #62 |
| 2011 | 1.22% | +0.03% | #58 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bangladesh matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2020. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw military spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Bangladesh's military spending was 0.80% in 2025. Ranked 123rd globally. This represents a 15.4% decrease from the previous year.
Bangladesh's military spending peaked at 1.58% in 1999.
The lowest military spending in Bangladesh was 0.60% in 1974.
Bangladesh ranks 123rd globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Bangladesh's military spending is projected to reach 0.80% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Bangladesh in 2025 was 0.80%. This ranks 123rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bangladesh_military-spending,
title = {Bangladesh Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bangladesh/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}