Cuba Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Cuba's military spending was 2.88% in 2018, ranked 133rd globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from 2017. Data from World Bank, covering 2009–2018.
Overview
Cuba's military spending stood at 2.88% in 2018, a rise of +0.00% from 2017. Cuba ranked 133rd globally.
Cuba’s military expenditure has shown a gradual decline over the ten‑year span from 2009 to 2018, falling from 3.38 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2009 to 2.88 percent in 2018, which placed the country 133rd globally in that year. The all‑time peak of 3.94 percent occurred in 2012, while the trough of 2.87 percent was recorded in 2017, indicating a modest but steady contraction of defense outlays. This downward trajectory aligns Cuba with other low‑spending nations; for example, Uzbekistan posted a comparable share of 2.87 percent in 2018, and Morocco’s share was slightly higher at 2.90 percent. The reduction reflects broader fiscal pressures and a reallocation of resources toward social and economic priorities. If Cuba continues to prioritize civilian investment and maintains its current fiscal discipline, the share of GDP devoted to the military is likely to edge lower in the coming years, barring major geopolitical shifts.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2.88% | +0.00% | #133 |
| 2017 | 2.87% | −0.20% | #125 |
| 2016 | 3.07% | −0.01% | #128 |
| 2015 | 3.08% | −0.45% | #128 |
| 2014 | 3.54% | +0.02% | #134 |
| 2013 | 3.51% | −0.42% | #134 |
| 2012 | 3.94% | +0.85% | #138 |
| 2011 | 3.08% | −0.24% | #122 |
| 2010 | 3.33% | −0.05% | #126 |
| 2009 | 3.38% | – | #126 |
Analysis
Cuba's military spending was 2.88% in 2018, a rise of +0.00% from 2017.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cuba's military spending was 2.88% in 2018. Ranked 133rd globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from the previous year.
Cuba's military spending peaked at 3.94% in 2012.
The lowest military spending in Cuba was 2.87% in 2017.
Cuba ranks 133rd globally in military spending as of 2018.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The military spending of Cuba in 2018 was 2.88%. This ranks 133rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_cuba_military-spending,
title = {Cuba Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/cuba/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}