Trinidad and Tobago Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Trinidad and Tobago's military spending was 0.96% in 2025, ranked 112th globally. This represents a 4.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1968–2025.
Overview
Trinidad and Tobago's military spending stood at 0.96% in 2025, a rise of +0.04% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.96% by 2025. Trinidad and Tobago ranked 112th globally.
Trinidad and Tobago’s military spending stood at 0.96% of GDP in 2025, matching its all-time peak recorded in 1971 and ranking 112th globally. This level of expenditure aligns closely with peer nations such as Malaysia and Cameroon, both also at 0.96%, as well as Thailand and Austria at 0.95%. The country’s defense spending has fluctuated significantly over 41 years of recorded data, reaching a historic low of 0.16% in 2001, a sharp decline likely influenced by post-Cold War security reassessments and fiscal constraints. From its modest beginning at 0.67% in 1968, military expenditure rose early before declining for much of the 1980s through early 2000s, only to rebound in recent years to match the high set over five decades prior. The return to 1971 levels in 2025 suggests renewed emphasis on defense, possibly driven by regional security concerns or institutional capacity building. Future shifts in military spending will likely depend on changes in domestic fiscal policy, external security threats, or strategic realignments within the Caribbean region.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 1.02% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 0.99% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.96% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.96% | +0.04% | #112 |
| 2024 | 0.92% | −0.04% | #32 |
| 2023 | 0.96% | +0.19% | #34 |
| 2022 | 0.77% | −0.09% | #26 |
| 2021 | 0.86% | +0.05% | #28 |
| 2020 | 0.81% | +0.08% | #23 |
| 2019 | 0.73% | +0.04% | #25 |
| 2018 | 0.69% | −0.15% | #24 |
| 2017 | 0.85% | −0.07% | #26 |
| 2016 | 0.91% | +0.16% | #28 |
| 2015 | 0.75% | +0.10% | #21 |
| 2014 | 0.66% | −0.11% | #18 |
| 2013 | 0.76% | +0.12% | #25 |
| 2012 | 0.64% | +0.07% | #17 |
| 2011 | 0.57% | −0.07% | #15 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Trinidad and Tobago matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2014. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw military spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Trinidad and Tobago's military spending was 0.96% in 2025. Ranked 112th globally. This represents a 4.1% increase from the previous year.
Trinidad and Tobago's military spending peaked at 0.96% in 1971.
The lowest military spending in Trinidad and Tobago was 0.16% in 2001.
Trinidad and Tobago ranks 112th globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Trinidad and Tobago's military spending is projected to reach 0.96% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Trinidad and Tobago in 2025 was 0.96%. This ranks 112th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_trinidad-and-tobago_military-spending,
title = {Trinidad and Tobago Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/trinidad-and-tobago/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}