China Military Expenditure
Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP.
Military Expenditure in China increased to 1.72 percent of GDP in 2025 from 1.66 percent of GDP in 2024.
China Military Expenditure — History
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China Military Expenditure — analysis in simple words
Latest reading
Military Expenditure in China increased to 1.72 percent of GDP in 2025 from 1.66 percent of GDP in 2024.
It has risen in each of the last three years.
Recent trend
A year earlier (2024) it was 1.66%, so the latest figure is 0.06 percentage points higher.
Over the past five years the average was 1.63%, with a range from 1.57% to 1.72%. The latest value is above that five-year average.
Historical context
This data series starts in 1989 and has 37 annual observations. The latest reading is higher than 51% of all of them.
The highest value on record is 2.47% (1992) and the lowest is 1.57% (2021). The long-run average is 1.82%.
Compared with other countries
Among 156 economies with recent data, China ranks 78th from the top. The median across all these economies is 1.72%, so China is above the typical country.
Among 19 major economies tracked on this site it ranks 12th.
Within East Asia & Pacific (18 economies with data) it ranks 8th; the regional median is 1.43%.
Statistics
- Latest
- 1.72%2025
- Previous
- 1.66%
- 5-year average
- 1.63%
- Long-run average
- 1.82%since 1989
- All-time high
- 2.47%1992
- All-time low
- 1.57%2021
- Observations
- 37Annual
Recent Data
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1.72% | ▲ +0.06 pp |
| 2024 | 1.66% | ▲ +0.04 pp |
| 2023 | 1.62% | ▲ +0.03 pp |
| 2022 | 1.59% | ▲ +0.02 pp |
| 2021 | 1.57% | ▼ −0.15 pp |
| 2020 | 1.72% | ▲ +0.07 pp |
| 2019 | 1.65% | ▲ +0.01 pp |
| 2018 | 1.64% | ▼ −0.04 pp |
| 2017 | 1.68% | ▼ −0.05 pp |
| 2016 | 1.73% | ▼ −0.01 pp |
| 2015 | 1.74% | ▲ +0.04 pp |
| 2014 | 1.71% | ▲ +0.02 pp |
| 2013 | 1.68% | ▲ +0.01 pp |
| 2012 | 1.67% | ▲ +0.04 pp |
| 2011 | 1.63% | ▼ −0.07 pp |
| 2010 | 1.70% | ▼ −0.16 pp |
| 2009 | 1.86% | ▲ +0.17 pp |
| 2008 | 1.69% | ▼ −0.03 pp |
| 2007 | 1.72% | ▼ −0.12 pp |
| 2006 | 1.84% | ▼ −0.00 pp |
| 2005 | 1.85% | ▼ −0.06 pp |
| 2004 | 1.91% | ▼ −0.06 pp |
| 2003 | 1.97% | ▼ −0.06 pp |
| 2002 | 2.03% | ▲ +0.07 pp |
| 2001 | 1.96% | ▲ +0.14 pp |
| 2000 | 1.82% | ▼ −0.04 pp |
| 1999 | 1.85% | ▲ +0.21 pp |
| 1998 | 1.64% | ▲ +0.02 pp |
| 1997 | 1.62% | ▼ −0.02 pp |
| 1996 | 1.64% |
Military Expenditure — China vs Peers
Latest available reading for each economy (periods may differ). China highlighted.
More China indicators
Understanding Military Expenditure — a simple guide
What it measures
Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP (World Bank, based on SIPRI data).
How it is calculated
Defence spending ÷ GDP × 100 (SIPRI estimates via World Bank).
2.4% means defence spending equals 2.4% of GDP.
A larger share of resources goes to defence.
A smaller defence budget relative to the economy.
Why it matters for the economy and markets
Defence spending is part of government expenditure and can matter for defence-sector companies.
How to read it
NATO members have a 2% of GDP guideline; figures are estimates for some countries.
Data source
World Bank — World Development Indicators (series MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS), annual data from 1989 to 2025. Values are shown exactly as published by the source and may be revised later.
How to use the chart
Use the 5Y / 10Y / 25Y / Max buttons to change the time range, or drag the slider under the chart. Hover (or tap) on the line to see the exact value for any period. Dashed lines and hatched bars are IMF projections, not actual data. The “Download CSV” button gives you the full data series.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current military expenditure of China?
What is the highest and lowest military expenditure of China?
What does military expenditure measure?
Data are sourced from official international organisations (IMF, World Bank, BIS) and national authorities, and are shown for educational and informational purposes only. They are not investment advice and no recommendation is made. Figures may be revised by the source; IMF figures for the current and future years are projections. This page was last updated on Saturday, October 17, 2026.