Zambia Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Zambia's military spending was 1.39% in 2025, ranked 87th globally. This represents a 4.6% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1984–2025.
Overview
Zambia's military spending stood at 1.39% in 2025, a rise of +0.06% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.39% by 2025. Zambia ranked 87th globally.
Zambia’s military expenditure has fallen sharply from an all‑time peak of 4.20 % of GDP in 1989 to a historic low of 0.98 % in 2021, before modestly rising to 1.39 % in 2025, a level that places the country at 87th globally. The 37‑year series shows a long‑term downward trajectory, reflecting constrained fiscal space and competing priorities in health, education and infrastructure. By contrast, peer economies such as Chile and Sri Lanka recorded comparable spending of 1.39 % and 1.36 % respectively in 2025, underscoring that Zambia’s current outlay aligns with middle‑income benchmarks despite its lower absolute budget. The post‑2021 rebound suggests a tentative reallocation toward security, yet the figure remains well below the regional average. Continued pressure on public finances or a shift in regional security dynamics could either curb further increases or prompt a renewed escalation, shaping the future path of Zambia’s defence budget.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 1.53% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 1.46% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.39% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.39% | +0.06% | #87 |
| 2024 | 1.33% | −0.01% | #59 |
| 2023 | 1.34% | +0.22% | #60 |
| 2022 | 1.12% | +0.13% | #43 |
| 2021 | 0.98% | −0.18% | #35 |
| 2020 | 1.17% | −0.09% | #47 |
| 2019 | 1.26% | −0.18% | #59 |
| 2018 | 1.44% | +0.14% | #80 |
| 2017 | 1.30% | −0.13% | #67 |
| 2016 | 1.43% | −0.32% | #79 |
| 2015 | 1.75% | +0.12% | #97 |
| 2014 | 1.63% | +0.27% | #90 |
| 2013 | 1.36% | +0.00% | #76 |
| 2012 | 1.36% | +0.04% | #72 |
| 2011 | 1.32% | −0.06% | #68 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Zambia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw military spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Zambia's military spending was 1.39% in 2025. Ranked 87th globally. This represents a 4.6% increase from the previous year.
Zambia's military spending peaked at 4.20% in 1989.
The lowest military spending in Zambia was 0.98% in 2021.
Zambia ranks 87th globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Zambia's military spending is projected to reach 1.39% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Zambia in 2025 was 1.39%. This ranks 87th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_zambia_military-spending,
title = {Zambia Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/zambia/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}