Sweden Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Sweden's military spending was 2.04% in 2025, ranked 55th globally. This represents a 1.9% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Sweden's military spending stood at 2.04% in 2025, a rise of +0.04% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.04% by 2025. Sweden ranked 55th globally.
Sweden’s military expenditure as a share of gross domestic product has trended markedly downward over the 66‑year series, falling from a high of 3.97 % in 1963 to a historic low of 1.03 % in 2017 before rising modestly to 2.04 % in 2025, placing the country 55th globally. The post‑Cold War era saw a gradual reduction in defence outlays, reflecting Sweden’s traditionally neutral stance and the reallocation of resources toward social welfare. The modest rebound after 2017 coincides with heightened security concerns in Europe, yet Sweden’s 2025 level remains only slightly above the spending of peers such as South Sudan (2.03 %) and below that of Albania (2.10 %). While the upward shift suggests a renewed willingness to invest in defence capabilities, future trajectories will depend on geopolitical developments in the Baltic region and domestic budgetary priorities, which could either accelerate the rise or reinforce the recent moderation in spending.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 2.44% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 2.24% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 2.04% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.04% | +0.04% | #55 |
| 2024 | 2.00% | +0.50% | #90 |
| 2023 | 1.50% | +0.17% | #71 |
| 2022 | 1.33% | +0.14% | #62 |
| 2021 | 1.19% | +0.04% | #52 |
| 2020 | 1.15% | +0.05% | #46 |
| 2019 | 1.10% | +0.06% | #44 |
| 2018 | 1.04% | +0.01% | #43 |
| 2017 | 1.03% | −0.02% | #43 |
| 2016 | 1.06% | −0.02% | #47 |
| 2015 | 1.07% | −0.06% | #48 |
| 2014 | 1.13% | +0.02% | #59 |
| 2013 | 1.12% | −0.02% | #58 |
| 2012 | 1.14% | +0.03% | #54 |
| 2011 | 1.11% | −0.09% | #48 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Sweden matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2007. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw military spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
The provided headline details a timeline of US-China trade and business engagement, reflecting a significant aspect of global economic and geopolitical relations. While global geopolitical dynamics can broadly influence national defense postures, this specific
Frequently Asked Questions
Sweden's military spending was 2.04% in 2025. Ranked 55th globally. This represents a 1.9% increase from the previous year.
Sweden's military spending peaked at 3.97% in 1963.
The lowest military spending in Sweden was 1.03% in 2017.
Sweden ranks 55th globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Sweden's military spending is projected to reach 2.04% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Sweden in 2025 was 2.04%. This ranks 55th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_sweden_military-spending,
title = {Sweden Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/sweden/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}