Sri Lanka Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Sri Lanka's military spending was 1.36% in 2025, ranked 88th globally. This represents a 4.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Sri Lanka's military spending stood at 1.36% in 2025, a decline of +0.06% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.36% by 2025. Sri Lanka ranked 88th globally.
Sri Lanka's military spending has exhibited considerable fluctuations over the past 65 years, with a marked peak in 1995 when it reached 5.86% of GDP, a level significantly higher than the current global average. This rise was largely attributed to the country's involvement in the Sri Lankan Civil War, which culminated in 2009. Conversely, the lowest point in military spending was recorded in 1982 at 0.54% of GDP, a period of relative peace and stability in the country. Currently, Sri Lanka's military spending accounts for 1.36% of its GDP, ranking it 88th globally, closely aligned with peer countries such as Zambia and Belgium. The country's military spending has consistently remained below the OECD average, indicating a relatively low defense burden. A decline in regional tensions or a shift in the country's foreign policy priorities could alter the trajectory of Sri Lanka's military spending, potentially leading to a decrease in its defense expenditure as a percentage of GDP.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 1.22% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 1.29% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.36% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.36% | −0.06% | #88 |
| 2024 | 1.43% | −0.21% | #62 |
| 2023 | 1.64% | +0.30% | #81 |
| 2022 | 1.34% | −0.37% | #64 |
| 2021 | 1.71% | −0.03% | #96 |
| 2020 | 1.74% | −0.01% | #87 |
| 2019 | 1.75% | +0.02% | #93 |
| 2018 | 1.73% | −0.24% | #96 |
| 2017 | 1.98% | −0.00% | #111 |
| 2016 | 1.98% | −0.44% | #107 |
| 2015 | 2.42% | +0.00% | #118 |
| 2014 | 2.41% | +0.26% | #122 |
| 2013 | 2.15% | −0.00% | #113 |
| 2012 | 2.16% | −0.53% | #111 |
| 2011 | 2.69% | −0.02% | #117 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Sri Lanka 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
Sri Lanka's military spending was 1.36% in 2025. Ranked 88th globally. This represents a 4.5% decrease from the previous year.
Sri Lanka's military spending peaked at 5.86% in 1995.
The lowest military spending in Sri Lanka was 0.54% in 1982.
Sri Lanka ranks 88th globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Sri Lanka's military spending is projected to reach 1.36% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Sri Lanka in 2025 was 1.36%. This ranks 88th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_sri-lanka_military-spending,
title = {Sri Lanka Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/sri-lanka/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}