Netherlands Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Netherlands's military spending was 1.82% in 2025, ranked 66th globally. This represents a 5.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Netherlands's military spending stood at 1.82% in 2025, a decline of +0.10% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.82% by 2025. Netherlands ranked 66th globally.
Netherlands’ military expenditure has fallen sharply from an all‑time high of 4.12 % of GDP in 1962 to a historic low of 1.12 % in 2015, reflecting a long‑term de‑escalation in defence budgeting that persisted through the post‑Cold‑War era. Over the 66‑year series, the share of GDP allocated to the armed forces declined steadily, reaching 1.82 % in 2025, which places the country 66th in the world and marginally above Australia’s 1.81 % and below Germany’s 1.86 % for the same year. The post‑2015 trough coincided with broader European fiscal consolidation and a strategic shift toward multinational security arrangements, while the modest rebound to 2025 suggests a cautious re‑investment driven by evolving geopolitical risks. If the Netherlands continues to align its defence spending with NATO’s 2 % guideline and responds to emerging security challenges, the upward trajectory is likely to persist, albeit at a measured pace.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 2.04% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 1.93% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.82% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.82% | −0.10% | #66 |
| 2024 | 1.92% | +0.48% | #85 |
| 2023 | 1.44% | +0.14% | #64 |
| 2022 | 1.30% | −0.06% | #58 |
| 2021 | 1.37% | −0.04% | #68 |
| 2020 | 1.41% | +0.11% | #68 |
| 2019 | 1.29% | +0.10% | #62 |
| 2018 | 1.20% | +0.06% | #58 |
| 2017 | 1.14% | −0.01% | #55 |
| 2016 | 1.14% | +0.03% | #54 |
| 2015 | 1.12% | −0.03% | #57 |
| 2014 | 1.15% | −0.01% | #62 |
| 2013 | 1.16% | −0.07% | #59 |
| 2012 | 1.23% | −0.05% | #67 |
| 2011 | 1.28% | −0.04% | #63 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Netherlands 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
Netherlands's military spending was 1.82% in 2025. Ranked 66th globally. This represents a 5.3% decrease from the previous year.
Netherlands's military spending peaked at 4.12% in 1962.
The lowest military spending in Netherlands was 1.12% in 2015.
Netherlands ranks 66th globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Netherlands's military spending is projected to reach 1.82% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Netherlands in 2025 was 1.82%. This ranks 66th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_netherlands_military-spending,
title = {Netherlands Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/netherlands/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}