Portugal Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Portugal's military spending was 1.51% in 2025, ranked 81st globally. This represents a 1.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Portugal's military spending stood at 1.51% in 2025, a decline of +0.02% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.51% by 2025. Portugal ranked 81st globally.
Portugal's military spending has exhibited a significant decline in recent decades, with the all-time peak of 4.50% in 1968, during the height of the Cold War, and the all-time trough of 1.24% in 2017. The country's military expenditure has steadily decreased, with a slight increase in recent years. As of 2025, Portugal's military spending stands at 1.51% of its GDP, ranking 81 globally. This trend is comparable to that of Cyprus, which has a similar ranking. In contrast, Spain, another European neighbor, has a slightly lower military spending percentage. The steady decline in military spending in Portugal may be attributed to the country's shift towards a more civilian-oriented approach to defense. A significant increase in defense spending or a major security threat could potentially alter this trajectory and push Portugal's military spending upwards.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 1.55% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 1.53% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.51% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.51% | −0.02% | #81 |
| 2024 | 1.53% | +0.07% | #67 |
| 2023 | 1.47% | +0.08% | #65 |
| 2022 | 1.39% | −0.13% | #70 |
| 2021 | 1.52% | +0.09% | #80 |
| 2020 | 1.43% | +0.05% | #70 |
| 2019 | 1.37% | +0.03% | #72 |
| 2018 | 1.34% | +0.10% | #74 |
| 2017 | 1.24% | −0.30% | #63 |
| 2016 | 1.54% | +0.21% | #90 |
| 2015 | 1.33% | +0.02% | #76 |
| 2014 | 1.31% | −0.13% | #73 |
| 2013 | 1.44% | +0.04% | #83 |
| 2012 | 1.40% | −0.09% | #77 |
| 2011 | 1.49% | +0.00% | #81 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Portugal matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw military spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Portugal's military spending was 1.51% in 2025. Ranked 81st globally. This represents a 1.1% decrease from the previous year.
Portugal's military spending peaked at 4.50% in 1968.
The lowest military spending in Portugal was 1.24% in 2017.
Portugal ranks 81st globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Portugal's military spending is projected to reach 1.51% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Portugal in 2025 was 1.51%. This ranks 81st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_portugal_military-spending,
title = {Portugal Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/portugal/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}