#Us military budget percentage series#

The protection Japan received via its 1960 security treaty with the United States provided enough relief from domestic military needs to allow the Japanese government to focus on much-needed domestic economic revitalization. Japan’s decision to restrict defense spending to one percent of its GDP began back in 1958, when a Japan still reeling from its wartime economic privations developed a defense policy called senshu boei, or “defense-only defense.” This term is essentially a euphemism for minimizing defense spending by elbowing-out any weapon, platform, military culture, or program that could appear expeditionary or aggressive, all of which happen to be the most expensive ones as well (aircraft carriers and special operations, for example). While interesting and an historical curiosity, this policy has run its course, and its end is nigh. This of course is Japan’s policy-not legal-decision to self-restrict its own defense budget to approximately one percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Many states have tried different economic contortions to find that right gun-and-butter balance, and perhaps squeeze out a few more guns in the process, but one particular state, Japan, has chosen one of the more peculiar methods out there. The economists among us, though, know defense budgets matter, and plenty of historical evidence and experience shows each and every state is forever tied to the eternal balancing act between guns and butter. Those interested in supporting SIPRI and our independent authoritative data can find more information by clicking here.Do defense budgets matter? The cynic in all of us says “no.” After all, there is widespread agreement that many nations’ defense budget reports, most prominently the People’s Republic of China, 1 are either fraudulent or not even close to the real number. SIPRI military expenditure data is based on open sources only.Īccess the SIPRI Military Expenditure Database directly at /sipri.ĭownload the SIPRI Military Expenditure Database (Excel).Īs an independent non-profit organization, SIPRI welcomes funding from private individuals and organizations who share our mission.

Estimates for regional military expenditure have been extended backwards depending on availability of data for countries in the region, but no estimates for total world military expenditure are available before 1988 due to the lack of data for the Soviet Union. The availability of data varies considerably by country, but for a majority of countries that were independent at the time, data is available from at least the late 1950s. Figures given as a share of government expenditure are presented according to financial year. Figures in constant (2021) and current US dollars, as a share of gross domestic product (GDP) and per capita are presented according to calendar year. Military expenditure in local currency at current prices is presented according to both the financial year of each country and according to calendar year, calculated on the assumption that, where financial years do not correspond to calendar years, spending is distributed evenly through the year. The database is updated annually, which may include updates to data for any of the years included in the database.

#Us military budget percentage series#

The SIPRI Military Expenditure Database contains consistent time series on the military spending of countries for the period 1949–2022.