Tanzania Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Tanzania's military spending was 1.22% in 2025, ranked 99th globally. This represents a 6.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1967–2025.
Overview
Tanzania's military spending stood at 1.22% in 2025, a rise of +0.07% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.22% by 2025. Tanzania ranked 99th globally.
Tanzania’s military outlays have hovered around 1.22 % of GDP in 2025, placing the country 99th in the world according to the World Bank, a level nearly identical to peers such as Canada (1.23 %) and El Salvador (1.23 %). The nation’s spending trajectory spans 59 years, beginning at 1.42 % of GDP in 1967 and reaching an all‑time high of 10.11 % during the 1978 post‑war consolidation period, before falling to a historic low of 0.70 % in 2008 amid fiscal tightening. Since that trough, Tanzania’s share of GDP has gradually risen, reflecting modest budgetary expansions for defence procurement and regional security commitments. Compared with neighboring Malawi (1.18 %), Tanzania’s current level suggests a slightly more ambitious stance but remains modest by global standards. If economic growth accelerates and regional tensions persist, the upward trend could continue, whereas a shift toward fiscal consolidation would likely curb further increases.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 1.27% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 1.25% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.22% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.22% | +0.07% | #99 |
| 2024 | 1.15% | −0.06% | #46 |
| 2023 | 1.21% | +0.02% | #47 |
| 2022 | 1.19% | +0.07% | #52 |
| 2021 | 1.12% | +0.05% | #46 |
| 2020 | 1.08% | +0.02% | #42 |
| 2019 | 1.06% | −0.04% | #41 |
| 2018 | 1.10% | +0.05% | #47 |
| 2017 | 1.06% | −0.04% | #48 |
| 2016 | 1.09% | +0.00% | #48 |
| 2015 | 1.09% | +0.08% | #51 |
| 2014 | 1.02% | +0.04% | #46 |
| 2013 | 0.97% | +0.06% | #39 |
| 2012 | 0.91% | +0.01% | #31 |
| 2011 | 0.90% | +0.01% | #32 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Tanzania matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw military spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Tanzania's military spending was 1.22% in 2025. Ranked 99th globally. This represents a 6.0% increase from the previous year.
Tanzania's military spending peaked at 10.11% in 1978.
The lowest military spending in Tanzania was 0.70% in 2008.
Tanzania ranks 99th globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Tanzania's military spending is projected to reach 1.22% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Tanzania in 2025 was 1.22%. This ranks 99th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_tanzania_military-spending,
title = {Tanzania Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/tanzania/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}