Belarus Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Belarus's military spending was 2.30% in 2025, ranked 43rd globally. This represents a 11.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1992–2025.
Overview
Belarus's military spending stood at 2.30% in 2025, a rise of +0.23% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.30% by 2025. Belarus ranked 43rd globally.
Belarus’ military expenditure, measured as a share of gross domestic product, has fluctuated modestly over the 34‑year span from 1992 to 2025, rising from 1.62 % in the earliest year to a peak of 3.62 % in 1994 before falling to a trough of 1.04 % in 2014. After the post‑Soviet dip, the budget gradually recovered, reaching 2.30 % of GDP in 2025, which places the country at rank 43 globally and aligns it closely with Hungary’s 2.29 % and the United Kingdom’s 2.28 % in the same year. The 1994 high coincided with the early‑stage restructuring of Belarus’ defence apparatus, while the 2014 low reflected broader fiscal tightening amid regional economic pressures. Recent increases suggest a modest re‑orientation toward higher defence spending, but the trajectory will depend on geopolitical developments and domestic budgetary constraints, which could either sustain the upward trend or prompt a reversal.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 2.70% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 2.50% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 2.30% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.30% | +0.23% | #43 |
| 2024 | 2.07% | +0.05% | #97 |
| 2023 | 2.02% | +0.37% | #101 |
| 2022 | 1.65% | +0.28% | #92 |
| 2021 | 1.37% | −0.04% | #67 |
| 2020 | 1.40% | +0.01% | #67 |
| 2019 | 1.40% | −0.14% | #76 |
| 2018 | 1.54% | +0.17% | #87 |
| 2017 | 1.37% | −0.15% | #78 |
| 2016 | 1.52% | +0.39% | #87 |
| 2015 | 1.14% | +0.10% | #59 |
| 2014 | 1.04% | −0.23% | #51 |
| 2013 | 1.27% | +0.04% | #70 |
| 2012 | 1.23% | +0.00% | #68 |
| 2011 | 1.22% | −0.12% | #59 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Belarus matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw military spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Belarus's military spending was 2.30% in 2025. Ranked 43rd globally. This represents a 11.0% increase from the previous year.
Belarus's military spending peaked at 3.62% in 1994.
The lowest military spending in Belarus was 1.04% in 2014.
Belarus ranks 43rd globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Belarus's military spending is projected to reach 2.30% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Belarus in 2025 was 2.30%. This ranks 43rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_belarus_military-spending,
title = {Belarus Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/belarus/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}