Switzerland Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Switzerland's military spending was 0.69% in 2025, ranked 129th globally. This represents a 4.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Switzerland's military spending stood at 0.69% in 2025, a decline of +0.03% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.69% by 2025. Switzerland ranked 129th globally.
Switzerland’s military expenditure has fallen dramatically from an early‑period average of 2.34 % of GDP in 1960 to just 0.69 % in 2025, placing it at rank 129 globally. The highest share was recorded in 1962 at 2.57 % of GDP, after which a long‑term decline set in, reaching a post‑Cold‑War low of 0.63 % in 2014 before modestly rising again. Over the 66‑year series, the Swiss defence budget has consistently remained below the 1 % threshold that characterises many small European states, aligning closely with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 0.69 % share and Madagascar’s 0.68 % share in the same year. The persistent downward trajectory reflects Switzerland’s long‑standing policy of neutrality, limited external security commitments and reliance on a well‑trained militia rather than large standing forces. Unless geopolitical tensions in Europe intensify or domestic political pressure for greater defence capabilities grows, the share of GDP devoted to military spending is likely to remain low, with only incremental fluctuations around the current level.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 0.67% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 0.68% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.69% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.69% | −0.03% | #129 |
| 2024 | 0.72% | +0.01% | #21 |
| 2023 | 0.71% | +0.02% | #19 |
| 2022 | 0.68% | +0.01% | #21 |
| 2021 | 0.67% | −0.10% | #19 |
| 2020 | 0.77% | +0.08% | #22 |
| 2019 | 0.70% | +0.04% | #22 |
| 2018 | 0.65% | −0.01% | #20 |
| 2017 | 0.67% | +0.00% | #17 |
| 2016 | 0.66% | +0.01% | #19 |
| 2015 | 0.65% | +0.02% | #18 |
| 2014 | 0.63% | −0.08% | #16 |
| 2013 | 0.71% | +0.04% | #21 |
| 2012 | 0.67% | −0.03% | #20 |
| 2011 | 0.69% | +0.01% | #21 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Switzerland matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2016. 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 relations, focusing on trade and business engagement. This development does not directly relate to Switzerland's current military spending, which stands at 0.69% of GDP. The information presented offers no direct indication of factors that would immediately influence Swiss defense budget decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Switzerland's military spending was 0.69% in 2025. Ranked 129th globally. This represents a 4.3% decrease from the previous year.
Switzerland's military spending peaked at 2.57% in 1962.
The lowest military spending in Switzerland was 0.63% in 2014.
Switzerland ranks 129th globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Switzerland's military spending is projected to reach 0.69% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Switzerland in 2025 was 0.69%. This ranks 129th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_switzerland_military-spending,
title = {Switzerland Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/switzerland/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}