Israel Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Israel's military spending was 8.00% in 2025, ranked 3rd globally. This represents a 8.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Israel's military spending stood at 8.00% in 2025, a decline of +0.78% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 8.00% by 2025. Israel ranked 3rd globally.
Israel’s military spending has risen sharply from 7.46 in 1960 to a recent 8.00 in 2025, placing the country third globally according to the World Bank. The most pronounced surge occurred in 1975, when spending peaked at 30.46, reflecting the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War and heightened regional tensions. After decades of fluctuation, the all‑time trough was recorded in 2022 at 4.43, a low point that coincided with a temporary de‑escalation of hostilities and budgetary constraints. Over the 66‑year coverage period, Israel’s defense outlays remain comparable to peer nations such as Qatar (7.70) and the Russian Federation (7.25), yet far exceed the lower levels of Algeria (8.04) and Ukraine (48.88). The upward trajectory from the 2022 trough suggests a continued increase in defense budgets, likely driven by evolving security challenges and technological modernization, unless a durable regional peace settlement alters fiscal priorities.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 9.49% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 8.74% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 8.00% | - | - |
| 2025 | 8.00% | −0.78% | #3 |
| 2024 | 8.78% | +3.39% | #146 |
| 2023 | 5.38% | +0.95% | #143 |
| 2022 | 4.43% | −0.50% | #143 |
| 2021 | 4.93% | −0.34% | #147 |
| 2020 | 5.28% | +0.20% | #146 |
| 2019 | 5.07% | −0.22% | #146 |
| 2018 | 5.29% | −0.14% | #151 |
| 2017 | 5.43% | +0.01% | #148 |
| 2016 | 5.42% | −0.01% | #146 |
| 2015 | 5.42% | −0.21% | #145 |
| 2014 | 5.63% | +0.19% | #149 |
| 2013 | 5.44% | −0.07% | #148 |
| 2012 | 5.51% | −0.12% | #147 |
| 2011 | 5.63% | −0.16% | #141 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Israel matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw military spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Israel's military spending was 8.00% in 2025. Ranked 3rd globally. This represents a 8.9% decrease from the previous year.
Israel's military spending peaked at 30.46% in 1975.
The lowest military spending in Israel was 4.43% in 2022.
Israel ranks 3rd globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Israel's military spending is projected to reach 8.00% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Israel in 2025 was 8.00%. This ranks 3rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_israel_military-spending,
title = {Israel Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/israel/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}