China vs United States: Military spending sipri
China
335.02 billion
in 2025
United States
929.16 billion
in 2025
China rank
2nd
United States rank
1st
Military spending sipri over time
- China
- United States
How they compare
United States currently reports 929.16 billion against 335.02 billion in China, a difference of 594.14 billion.
That makes United States's figure about 2.8 times China's.
Across all 37 years both countries report, United States has been ahead every year.
China ranks 2nd and United States ranks 1st of 162 countries.
United States has averaged higher in every one of the 5 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | United States | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 19.91 billion | 814.46 billion | 794.55 billion | United States |
| 1990s | 27.55 billion | 641.57 billion | 614.02 billion | United States |
| 2000s | 76.18 billion | 800.72 billion | 724.54 billion | United States |
| 2010s | 187.96 billion | 913.10 billion | 725.14 billion | United States |
| 2020s | 288.63 billion | 946.07 billion | 657.45 billion | United States |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher military spending sipri, China or United States?
- United States, at 929.16 billion against 335.02 billion in China as of 2025.
- What is the difference in military spending sipri between China and United States?
- 594.14 billion, with United States ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and United States?
- 37 years are reported by both, from 1989 to 2025.
- How do China and United States rank globally for military spending sipri?
- China ranks 2nd and United States ranks 1st of 162 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Military spending sipri. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.