Bolivia, Plurinational State of Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Bolivia, Plurinational State of's military spending was 1.25% in 2025, ranked 95th globally. This represents a 8.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1961–2025.
Overview
Bolivia, Plurinational State of's military spending stood at 1.25% in 2025, a decline of +0.12% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.25% by 2025. Bolivia, Plurinational State of ranked 95th globally.
Bolivia’s military expenditure has hovered near the lower end of global levels, registering 1.25 % of GDP in 2025, which places the country at 95th position worldwide. The figure is almost identical to the Philippines (1.25 %) and only marginally below Eswatini (1.27 %) and El Salvador (1.23 %). After a modest rise from the earliest recorded level of 1.20 % in 1961, spending peaked at 3.90 % of GDP in 1981, reflecting the regional security concerns of the early 1980s. A pronounced decline followed, reaching an all‑time trough of 0.97 % in 2022, the lowest share in the 61‑year series. The subsequent rebound to 1.25 % suggests a gradual re‑orientation toward modest defence budgeting while remaining constrained by fiscal priorities. Continued macro‑economic stability and the evolution of regional security dynamics will determine whether Bolivia’s military spending maintains its upward trajectory or stabilises at its current level.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 1.24% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 1.25% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.25% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.25% | −0.12% | #95 |
| 2024 | 1.37% | +0.07% | #60 |
| 2023 | 1.30% | +0.33% | #55 |
| 2022 | 0.97% | −0.35% | #35 |
| 2021 | 1.33% | −0.07% | #62 |
| 2020 | 1.39% | −0.06% | #64 |
| 2019 | 1.45% | −0.05% | #78 |
| 2018 | 1.50% | −0.04% | #86 |
| 2017 | 1.54% | +0.01% | #86 |
| 2016 | 1.53% | −0.23% | #88 |
| 2015 | 1.76% | −0.14% | #98 |
| 2014 | 1.90% | +0.06% | #106 |
| 2013 | 1.84% | −0.00% | #100 |
| 2012 | 1.85% | +0.16% | #100 |
| 2011 | 1.68% | −1.10% | #91 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bolivia, Plurinational State of matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw military spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Bolivia, Plurinational State of's military spending was 1.25% in 2025. Ranked 95th globally. This represents a 8.5% decrease from the previous year.
Bolivia, Plurinational State of's military spending peaked at 3.90% in 1981.
The lowest military spending in Bolivia, Plurinational State of was 0.97% in 2022.
Bolivia, Plurinational State of ranks 95th globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Bolivia, Plurinational State of's military spending is projected to reach 1.25% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Bolivia, Plurinational State of in 2025 was 1.25%. This ranks 95th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bolivia-plurinational-state-of_military-spending,
title = {Bolivia, Plurinational State of Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bolivia-plurinational-state-of/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}