Saudi Arabia Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Overview
Saudi Arabia's military spending stood at 6.52% in 2025, a decline of +0.78% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 6.52% by 2025. Saudi Arabia ranked 6th globally.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 5.93% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 6.23% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 6.52% | - | - |
| 2025 | 6.52% | −0.78% | #6 |
| 2024 | 7.30% | +0.01% | #144 |
| 2023 | 7.28% | +0.89% | #147 |
| 2022 | 6.40% | −0.83% | #148 |
| 2021 | 7.23% | −1.56% | #151 |
| 2020 | 8.79% | +1.00% | #150 |
| 2019 | 7.79% | −1.02% | #150 |
| 2018 | 8.81% | −1.03% | #153 |
| 2017 | 9.85% | +0.29% | #151 |
| 2016 | 9.56% | −3.46% | #150 |
| 2015 | 13.02% | +2.49% | #150 |
| 2014 | 10.54% | +1.64% | #153 |
| 2013 | 8.89% | +1.27% | #152 |
| 2012 | 7.62% | +0.44% | #148 |
| 2011 | 7.17% | −1.39% | #144 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Saudi Arabia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw military spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
The headlines detail ongoing US-Iran military tensions and Iran's active engagement in asymmetric warfare, including targeting regional energy infrastructure and US military assets. Given Saudi Arabia's geopolitical rivalry with Iran, its reliance on energy exports, and its hosting of US forces, these developments likely contribute to its sustained high military spending. This regional instability and Iran's demonstrated capabilities reinforce Saudi Arabia's need to maintain its defense posture, reflected in its military spending of 6.52% of GDP.
Frequently Asked Questions
Saudi Arabia's military spending was 6.52% in 2025. Ranked 6th globally. This represents a 10.7% decrease from the previous year.
Saudi Arabia's military spending peaked at 19.00% in 1984.
The lowest military spending in Saudi Arabia was 5.90% in 1963.
Saudi Arabia ranks 6th globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Saudi Arabia's military spending is projected to reach 6.52% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Saudi Arabia in 2025 was 6.52%. This ranks 6th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_saudi-arabia_military-spending,
title = {Saudi Arabia Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/saudi-arabia/military-spending},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}