China Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
China's military spending was 1.66% in 2025, ranked 73rd globally. This represents a 2.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1989–2025.
Overview
China's military spending stood at 1.66% in 2025, a decline of +0.05% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.66% by 2025. China ranked 73rd globally.
China’s military expenditure, measured in current US dollars and expressed in billions, stood at 1.66 in 2025, placing it 73rd in the world according to the World Bank. The figure mirrors the all‑time peak of 2.45 recorded in 1990, after which spending gradually declined, reaching a trough of 1.61 in 2021 before modestly rising again. Over the 37‑year series, China’s spending has remained relatively stable compared with peers of similar rank, such as Türkiye at 1.67 and Montenegro at 1.69, indicating that its defence budget has not accelerated in line with its expanding economy. The slight post‑trough increase suggests a cautious response to regional security dynamics, yet the modest scale relative to larger powers implies limited fiscal pressure. Continued economic growth, coupled with shifting geopolitical tensions, could prompt a more pronounced upward trajectory in the coming years, potentially altering China’s position among mid‑rank spenders.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 1.66% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 1.66% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.66% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.66% | −0.05% | #73 |
| 2024 | 1.71% | +0.05% | #76 |
| 2023 | 1.66% | +0.03% | #85 |
| 2022 | 1.63% | +0.03% | #90 |
| 2021 | 1.61% | −0.15% | #88 |
| 2020 | 1.76% | +0.07% | #89 |
| 2019 | 1.68% | +0.01% | #89 |
| 2018 | 1.67% | −0.04% | #94 |
| 2017 | 1.71% | −0.06% | #95 |
| 2016 | 1.77% | −0.01% | #98 |
| 2015 | 1.78% | +0.04% | #100 |
| 2014 | 1.74% | +0.02% | #92 |
| 2013 | 1.71% | +0.01% | #97 |
| 2012 | 1.70% | +0.04% | #96 |
| 2011 | 1.66% | −0.07% | #89 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
China matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2013. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw military spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Headline 4, questioning the U.S. defense industry's ability to keep pace with "China's Military Machine," implicitly acknowledges the substantial scale and capability of China's armed forces
Frequently Asked Questions
China's military spending was 1.66% in 2025. Ranked 73rd globally. This represents a 2.7% decrease from the previous year.
China's military spending peaked at 2.45% in 1990.
The lowest military spending in China was 1.61% in 2021.
China ranks 73rd globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
China's military spending is projected to reach 1.66% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of China in 2025 was 1.66%. This ranks 73rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_china_military-spending,
title = {China Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/china/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}