Colombia Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Colombia's military spending was 3.00% in 2025, ranked 26th globally. This represents a 10.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Colombia's military spending stood at 3.00% in 2025, a decline of +0.36% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 3.00% by 2025. Colombia ranked 26th globally.
Colombia's military spending, as a percentage of its GDP, has exhibited fluctuations over the past 66 years. The country's all-time peak in military spending was recorded in 1996, at 4.45% of its GDP, a year marked by the intensification of the country's internal conflict. Conversely, the lowest point in military spending was reached in 1977, at 1.44%, during a period of relative peace. In recent years, Colombia's military spending has decreased, with the latest available data showing a figure of 3.00% in 2025, ranking the country 26th globally. This is comparable to Brunei Darussalam, which ranked 25th with a military spending percentage of 3.10. Colombia's military spending trajectory may continue to decrease if the country maintains its peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and if the internal conflict continues to subside. However, a resurgence of conflict or a shift in regional security dynamics could lead to an increase in military spending.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 2.88% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 2.94% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 3.00% | - | - |
| 2025 | 3.00% | −0.36% | #26 |
| 2024 | 3.36% | +0.39% | #128 |
| 2023 | 2.97% | +0.17% | #125 |
| 2022 | 2.80% | −0.40% | #127 |
| 2021 | 3.20% | −0.34% | #131 |
| 2020 | 3.53% | +0.39% | #136 |
| 2019 | 3.15% | +0.11% | #133 |
| 2018 | 3.03% | −0.17% | #137 |
| 2017 | 3.21% | +0.14% | #131 |
| 2016 | 3.07% | −0.04% | #127 |
| 2015 | 3.11% | +0.00% | #130 |
| 2014 | 3.11% | −0.16% | #131 |
| 2013 | 3.27% | +0.12% | #132 |
| 2012 | 3.16% | +0.08% | #128 |
| 2011 | 3.08% | −0.56% | #121 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Colombia matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2023. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw military spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
The news of Colombia providing support for the Salvadoran troop deployment to Haiti directly relates to its military spending, currently at 3.00% of GDP. Such international military support missions typically necessitate the
Frequently Asked Questions
Colombia's military spending was 3.00% in 2025. Ranked 26th globally. This represents a 10.8% decrease from the previous year.
Colombia's military spending peaked at 4.45% in 1996.
The lowest military spending in Colombia was 1.44% in 1977.
Colombia ranks 26th globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Colombia's military spending is projected to reach 3.00% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Colombia in 2025 was 3.00%. This ranks 26th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_colombia_military-spending,
title = {Colombia Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/colombia/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}