Nepal Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Nepal's military spending was 0.90% in 2025, ranked 118th globally. This represents a 8.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Nepal's military spending stood at 0.90% in 2025, a decline of +0.08% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.90% by 2025. Nepal ranked 118th globally.
Nepal’s military outlays have remained modest, averaging 0.90 percent of gross domestic product in 2025, which places the nation at 118th in the world according to the World Bank. The share rose from a low of 0.59 percent in 1970, the all‑time trough, to a peak of 1.69 percent in 2005 before retreating to current levels. Over the 56‑year series, the trajectory shows a brief escalation in the early 2000s, likely linked to internal security challenges, followed by a gradual re‑alignment with fiscal priorities that emphasize development spending. Nepal’s 2025 figure is closely aligned with peers such as Paraguay (0.88 percent) and Peru (0.93 percent), suggesting a regional pattern of limited defense budgets relative to larger economies. Future shifts in the proportion of GDP devoted to the armed forces will depend on geopolitical developments, domestic stability and the government’s willingness to reallocate resources toward security or other sectors.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 0.73% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 0.82% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.90% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.90% | −0.08% | #118 |
| 2024 | 0.98% | −0.09% | #37 |
| 2023 | 1.07% | −0.09% | #39 |
| 2022 | 1.16% | −0.06% | #47 |
| 2021 | 1.22% | −0.11% | #54 |
| 2020 | 1.32% | +0.09% | #55 |
| 2019 | 1.24% | −0.11% | #56 |
| 2018 | 1.35% | −0.13% | #75 |
| 2017 | 1.48% | +0.02% | #85 |
| 2016 | 1.47% | +0.10% | #83 |
| 2015 | 1.37% | −0.07% | #81 |
| 2014 | 1.43% | +0.09% | #81 |
| 2013 | 1.34% | +0.10% | #73 |
| 2012 | 1.24% | −0.11% | #69 |
| 2011 | 1.35% | −0.02% | #70 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nepal matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2016. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw military spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Nepal's military spending was 0.90% in 2025. Ranked 118th globally. This represents a 8.1% decrease from the previous year.
Nepal's military spending peaked at 1.69% in 2005.
The lowest military spending in Nepal was 0.59% in 1970.
Nepal ranks 118th globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Nepal's military spending is projected to reach 0.90% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Nepal in 2025 was 0.90%. This ranks 118th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nepal_military-spending,
title = {Nepal Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nepal/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}