Gabon Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Gabon's military spending was 1.32% in 2025, ranked 91st globally. This represents a 14.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1967–2025.
Overview
Gabon's military spending stood at 1.32% in 2025, a decline of +0.22% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.32% by 2025. Gabon ranked 91st globally.
Gabon's military expenditure has risen modestly since the earliest World Bank record in 1967, when it accounted for 1.11 % of gross domestic product, to 1.32 % in 2025, placing the country 91st globally. The most pronounced surge occurred in 1986, when spending peaked at 4.00 % of GDP, a level far above the all‑time low of 0.67 % recorded in 1976. Over the 42‑year series, the average has hovered near the low‑mid single digits, reflecting limited fiscal capacity and a historically low prioritisation of defence relative to other sectors. Gabon's recent figure is comparable to that of Belgium (1.34 %) and slightly above the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1.31 %), underscoring a convergence with middle‑income peers rather than the higher defence shares of regional powers. If economic growth accelerates and security concerns intensify, the upward trajectory could resume, whereas sustained fiscal consolidation would likely keep the share near its current level.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 1.19% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 1.25% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.32% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.32% | −0.22% | #91 |
| 2024 | 1.54% | +0.21% | #68 |
| 2023 | 1.32% | −0.04% | #57 |
| 2022 | 1.36% | −0.24% | #66 |
| 2021 | 1.60% | −0.11% | #87 |
| 2020 | 1.72% | +0.14% | #83 |
| 2019 | 1.58% | +0.03% | #84 |
| 2018 | 1.55% | −0.26% | #89 |
| 2017 | 1.81% | +0.36% | #102 |
| 2016 | 1.45% | +0.26% | #82 |
| 2015 | 1.19% | +0.04% | #62 |
| 2014 | 1.14% | −0.46% | #61 |
| 2013 | 1.60% | −0.02% | #89 |
| 2012 | 1.62% | +0.16% | #88 |
| 2011 | 1.46% | −0.41% | #78 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Gabon 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 →
Frequently Asked Questions
Gabon's military spending was 1.32% in 2025. Ranked 91st globally. This represents a 14.4% decrease from the previous year.
Gabon's military spending peaked at 4.00% in 1986.
The lowest military spending in Gabon was 0.67% in 1976.
Gabon ranks 91st globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Gabon's military spending is projected to reach 1.32% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Gabon in 2025 was 1.32%. This ranks 91st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_gabon_military-spending,
title = {Gabon Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/gabon/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}