Norway Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Norway's military spending was 1.92% in 2025, ranked 61st globally. This represents a 8.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Norway's military spending stood at 1.92% in 2025, a decline of +0.17% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.92% by 2025. Norway ranked 61st globally.
Norway's military spending as a share of GDP stood at 1.92 percent in 2025, ranking 61st globally, according to World Bank data spanning 66 years. This figure reflects a significant decline from the country's all-time peak of 3.61 percent in 1968, a period shaped by Cold War defense priorities, and follows a long-term trend of fluctuating but generally decreasing expenditure. The lowest level was recorded in 2008 at 1.37 percent, after which spending gradually rose amid evolving regional security concerns. Compared to peer nations, Norway's current outlay is slightly below the Slovak Republic's 1.96 percent and closely aligns with the European Union average of 1.88 percent. While the trajectory has been one of modest increase since the late 2000s, future shifts in military spending will likely depend on geopolitical developments in Northern Europe, NATO commitments, and domestic budgetary priorities. Sustained pressure to meet or exceed the alliance's 2 percent GDP target may further influence spending levels in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 2.00% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 1.96% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.92% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.92% | −0.17% | #61 |
| 2024 | 2.09% | +0.28% | #98 |
| 2023 | 1.81% | +0.35% | #91 |
| 2022 | 1.46% | −0.21% | #76 |
| 2021 | 1.68% | −0.29% | #92 |
| 2020 | 1.97% | +0.12% | #100 |
| 2019 | 1.84% | +0.13% | #99 |
| 2018 | 1.72% | +0.01% | #95 |
| 2017 | 1.71% | +0.09% | #94 |
| 2016 | 1.62% | +0.12% | #95 |
| 2015 | 1.50% | +0.04% | #86 |
| 2014 | 1.46% | +0.06% | #84 |
| 2013 | 1.41% | +0.01% | #81 |
| 2012 | 1.39% | −0.05% | #75 |
| 2011 | 1.44% | −0.07% | #77 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Norway 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 →
The headline details Britain's new policy requiring local economic benefits from foreign defense contractors. This development could indirectly influence Norway's military spending, currently at 1.92% of GDP, by potentially altering the terms of international defense procurement or encouraging similar domestic industrial requirements from its own suppliers. Such policies could affect the cost or strategic considerations of Norway's defense acquisitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Norway's military spending was 1.92% in 2025. Ranked 61st globally. This represents a 8.3% decrease from the previous year.
Norway's military spending peaked at 3.61% in 1968.
The lowest military spending in Norway was 1.37% in 2008.
Norway ranks 61st globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Norway's military spending is projected to reach 1.92% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Norway in 2025 was 1.92%. This ranks 61st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_norway_military-spending,
title = {Norway Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/norway/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}