Moldova Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Moldova's military spending was 0.64% in 2025, ranked 132nd globally. This represents a 7.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1993–2025.
Overview
Moldova's military spending stood at 0.64% in 2025, a rise of +0.05% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.64% by 2025. Moldova ranked 132nd globally.
Moldova’s military expenditure has remained modest over the past three decades, averaging 0.64 percent of gross domestic product in 2025, which places the country 132nd in the world ranking. The share rose to an all‑time high of 0.93 percent in 1995, shortly after independence, before falling to a trough of 0.26 percent in 2010 during a period of fiscal consolidation and limited security threats. Since that low point, spending has gradually increased, reaching 0.53 percent in 1993 and climbing to the current level, a figure closely matched by peers such as Nigeria (0.64 percent) and South Africa (0.63 percent). The upward trajectory reflects modest budgetary allocations for defense amid ongoing reforms and the need to modernize equipment, yet the proportion remains well below regional averages. Continued economic growth and deeper integration with Euro‑Atlantic institutions could sustain the incremental rise, while any major security shock might accelerate the pace of spending.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 0.77% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 0.71% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.64% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.64% | +0.05% | #132 |
| 2024 | 0.60% | +0.03% | #14 |
| 2023 | 0.57% | +0.21% | #13 |
| 2022 | 0.36% | −0.01% | #5 |
| 2021 | 0.37% | −0.01% | #5 |
| 2020 | 0.39% | +0.02% | #5 |
| 2019 | 0.36% | +0.03% | #5 |
| 2018 | 0.33% | +0.01% | #6 |
| 2017 | 0.32% | −0.02% | #5 |
| 2016 | 0.34% | +0.05% | #5 |
| 2015 | 0.30% | +0.00% | #3 |
| 2014 | 0.29% | +0.01% | #3 |
| 2013 | 0.28% | +0.01% | #4 |
| 2012 | 0.27% | +0.00% | #3 |
| 2011 | 0.27% | +0.01% | #3 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Moldova matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw military spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Moldova's military spending was 0.64% in 2025. Ranked 132nd globally. This represents a 7.8% increase from the previous year.
Moldova's military spending peaked at 0.93% in 1995.
The lowest military spending in Moldova was 0.26% in 2010.
Moldova ranks 132nd globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Moldova's military spending is projected to reach 0.64% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Moldova in 2025 was 0.64%. This ranks 132nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_moldova_military-spending,
title = {Moldova Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/moldova/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}