Korea Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Korea's military spending was 2.55% in 2025, ranked 34th globally. This represents a 0.6% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Korea's military spending stood at 2.55% in 2025, a decline of +0.02% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.55% by 2025. Korea ranked 34th globally.
South Korea’s military outlays have fallen sharply from an all‑time peak of 7.16 % of GDP in 1960 to a trough of 2.17 % in 2004, before modestly rising to 2.55 % in 2025, placing the country 34th globally. Over the 66‑year series, the decline reflects a transition from a post‑war security environment to a mature economy with diversified defence procurement and a strategic reliance on alliance structures. The 2025 figure is marginally above Denmark’s 2.53 % share and slightly below Tajikistan’s 2.58 %, underscoring South Korea’s position among nations with comparable fiscal commitments to defence despite its advanced technological capabilities. Persistent regional tensions and the development of high‑cost systems such as missile defence and naval platforms could lift the percentage again, while sustained economic growth and a stable security architecture are likely to keep the share near its current level.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 2.51% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 2.53% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 2.55% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.55% | −0.02% | #34 |
| 2024 | 2.56% | −0.04% | #114 |
| 2023 | 2.60% | +0.02% | #118 |
| 2022 | 2.58% | −0.04% | #124 |
| 2021 | 2.62% | −0.02% | #126 |
| 2020 | 2.64% | +0.12% | #123 |
| 2019 | 2.52% | +0.16% | #121 |
| 2018 | 2.36% | +0.06% | #123 |
| 2017 | 2.30% | −0.04% | #118 |
| 2016 | 2.34% | −0.04% | #119 |
| 2015 | 2.38% | −0.04% | #117 |
| 2014 | 2.41% | +0.02% | #123 |
| 2013 | 2.39% | −0.00% | #119 |
| 2012 | 2.39% | +0.02% | #117 |
| 2011 | 2.37% | +0.01% | #111 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Korea matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2006. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw military spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
The headlines indicate a complex global geopolitical environment, with ongoing US-China relations impacting regional stability and potential US involvement in an Iran conflict or diplomatic efforts. While these developments create a backdrop of international uncertainty
Frequently Asked Questions
Korea's military spending was 2.55% in 2025. Ranked 34th globally. This represents a 0.6% decrease from the previous year.
Korea's military spending peaked at 7.16% in 1960.
The lowest military spending in Korea was 2.17% in 2004.
Korea ranks 34th globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Korea's military spending is projected to reach 2.55% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Korea in 2025 was 2.55%. This ranks 34th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_korea_military-spending,
title = {Korea Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/korea/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}