Lebanon Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Lebanon's military spending was 1.79% in 2025, ranked 68th globally. This represents a 30.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1964–2025.
Overview
Lebanon's military spending stood at 1.79% in 2025, a decline of +0.80% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.79% by 2025. Lebanon ranked 68th globally.
Lebanon’s military expenditure has fallen to US$1.79 billion in 2025, placing the nation 68th in the World Bank ranking and aligning it closely with peers such as Croatia (US$1.77 billion) and Australia (US$1.81 billion). Over the 59‑year series from 1964, when spending stood at US$3.66 billion, the trajectory has been markedly volatile. The all‑time peak of US$13.46 billion was recorded in 1983, a period marked by intense internal conflict and regional tensions, while the lowest point of US$1.12 billion occurred in 1987 as the civil war waned and fiscal pressures intensified. Since that trough, Lebanon’s defense outlays have oscillated but have not returned to the heights of the early 1980s, reflecting a combination of constrained public finances, shifting security priorities, and limited external financing. Continued macro‑economic stabilization and reforms in the defense procurement system could shape a modest upward trend, whereas renewed geopolitical strain would likely push spending higher again.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 1.62% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 1.70% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.79% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.79% | −0.80% | #68 |
| 2024 | 2.59% | +0.96% | #115 |
| 2023 | 1.62% | +0.23% | #78 |
| 2022 | 1.40% | −0.21% | #71 |
| 2021 | 1.61% | −1.42% | #89 |
| 2020 | 3.03% | −1.71% | #128 |
| 2019 | 4.74% | −0.32% | #144 |
| 2018 | 5.06% | +0.45% | #149 |
| 2017 | 4.60% | −0.49% | #145 |
| 2016 | 5.10% | +0.61% | #145 |
| 2015 | 4.49% | −0.23% | #139 |
| 2014 | 4.72% | +0.59% | #147 |
| 2013 | 4.13% | +0.14% | #141 |
| 2012 | 3.99% | −0.08% | #139 |
| 2011 | 4.07% | −0.05% | #135 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Lebanon matched the Currency Crisis Pattern pattern in 2023. Historically, 27% of countries showing this pattern (35 out of 128) saw military spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lebanon's military spending was 1.79% in 2025. Ranked 68th globally. This represents a 30.8% decrease from the previous year.
Lebanon's military spending peaked at 13.46% in 1983.
The lowest military spending in Lebanon was 1.12% in 1987.
Lebanon ranks 68th globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Lebanon's military spending is projected to reach 1.79% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Lebanon in 2025 was 1.79%. This ranks 68th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lebanon_military-spending,
title = {Lebanon Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lebanon/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}