Military spending, annual growth rate in United States
United States: Military spending, annual growth rate was 2.72 % change on previous year in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
2.72 % change on previous year
Change on year
down 24.5%
World rank
122nd
of 172 countries
All-time high
948.11 % change on previous year
in 1918
All-time low
-90.4 % change on previous year
in 1865
Years of data
206
1817–2023
Military spending, annual growth rate in United States, 1817–2023
Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in % change on previous year.
Analysis
In 2023, military spending, annual growth rate in United States stood at 2.72 % change on previous year.
The figure is down 24.5% on the previous year and up 172.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military spending, annual growth rate in United States peaked at 948.11 % change on previous year in 1918 and was at its lowest, -90.4 % change on previous year, in 1865.
That places United States 122nd out of 172 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Military spending, annual growth rate in United States, year by year
| Year | % change on previous year | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1817 | -26.38 % change on previous year | — |
| 1818 | -6.56 % change on previous year | -75.1% |
| 1819 | -8.66 % change on previous year | +32.1% |
| 1820 | -7.8 % change on previous year | -9.9% |
| 1821 | 1.41 % change on previous year | -118.1% |
| 1822 | -15.07 % change on previous year | -1166.5% |
| 1823 | 9.28 % change on previous year | -161.6% |
| 1824 | 6.11 % change on previous year | -34.2% |
| 1825 | 4.38 % change on previous year | -28.4% |
| 1826 | 12.45 % change on previous year | +184.6% |
| 1827 | 1.23 % change on previous year | -90.1% |
| 1828 | 10.22 % change on previous year | +730.8% |
| 1829 | 9.09 % change on previous year | -11.0% |
| 1830 | -8.62 % change on previous year | -194.9% |
| 1831 | 28.01 % change on previous year | -424.7% |
| 1832 | 7.22 % change on previous year | -74.2% |
| 1833 | 7.25 % change on previous year | +0.4% |
| 1834 | -2.58 % change on previous year | -135.5% |
| 1835 | 5.82 % change on previous year | -325.8% |
| 1836 | -2.11 % change on previous year | -136.2% |
| 1837 | 11.22 % change on previous year | -632.2% |
| 1838 | 2.24 % change on previous year | -80.1% |
| 1839 | -3.98 % change on previous year | -277.9% |
| 1840 | 13.35 % change on previous year | -435.4% |
| 1841 | -0.0932 % change on previous year | -100.7% |
| 1842 | 1.82 % change on previous year | -2052.3% |
| 1843 | -9.29 % change on previous year | -610.7% |
| 1844 | 12.8 % change on previous year | -237.8% |
| 1845 | 11.71 % change on previous year | -8.5% |
| 1846 | 212.44 % change on previous year | +1714.2% |
| 1847 | -35.62 % change on previous year | -116.8% |
| 1848 | 8.89 % change on previous year | -125.0% |
| 1849 | -20.96 % change on previous year | -335.8% |
| 1850 | -9.62 % change on previous year | -54.1% |
| 1851 | 0.7928 % change on previous year | -108.2% |
| 1852 | 2.92 % change on previous year | +268.5% |
| 1853 | 3.43 % change on previous year | +17.4% |
| 1854 | 7.31 % change on previous year | +113.2% |
| 1855 | 3.57 % change on previous year | -51.2% |
| 1856 | 10.04 % change on previous year | +181.1% |
| 1857 | -2.4 % change on previous year | -123.9% |
| 1858 | 6.4 % change on previous year | -367.0% |
| 1859 | -0.7729 % change on previous year | -112.1% |
| 1860 | 7.03 % change on previous year | -1009.7% |
| 1862 | 55.86 % change on previous year | +694.5% |
| 1863 | 0.4309 % change on previous year | -99.2% |
| 1864 | 68.93 % change on previous year | +15896.9% |
| 1865 | -90.4 % change on previous year | -231.1% |
| 1866 | -12.63 % change on previous year | -86.0% |
| 1867 | 5.04 % change on previous year | -139.9% |
| 1868 | -6.68 % change on previous year | -232.5% |
| 1869 | -13.03 % change on previous year | +95.0% |
| 1870 | -23.65 % change on previous year | +81.6% |
| 1871 | -8.14 % change on previous year | -65.6% |
| 1872 | 1.27 % change on previous year | -115.6% |
| 1873 | 11.48 % change on previous year | +805.1% |
| 1874 | -10.68 % change on previous year | -193.0% |
| 1875 | -5.03 % change on previous year | -52.9% |
| 1876 | 0.1217 % change on previous year | -102.4% |
| 1877 | -8.17 % change on previous year | -6807.6% |
| 1878 | 7.47 % change on previous year | -191.5% |
| 1879 | -2.44 % change on previous year | -132.6% |
| 1880 | -3.45 % change on previous year | +41.5% |
| 1881 | 1.52 % change on previous year | -144.1% |
| 1882 | 4.27 % change on previous year | +180.8% |
| 1883 | 2.47 % change on previous year | -42.1% |
| 1884 | -0.7045 % change on previous year | -128.5% |
| 1885 | -5.22 % change on previous year | +640.8% |
| 1886 | 9.26 % change on previous year | -277.3% |
| 1887 | -2.58 % change on previous year | -127.8% |
| 1888 | 11.8 % change on previous year | -558.3% |
| 1889 | 6.99 % change on previous year | -40.8% |
| 1890 | 18.75 % change on previous year | +168.4% |
| 1891 | -0.6715 % change on previous year | -103.6% |
| 1892 | 6.58 % change on previous year | -1079.3% |
| 1893 | 2.38 % change on previous year | -63.8% |
| 1894 | 5.06 % change on previous year | +113.0% |
| 1895 | 9.55 % change on previous year | +88.6% |
| 1896 | 8.14 % change on previous year | -14.7% |
| 1897 | 20.04 % change on previous year | +146.1% |
| 1898 | 113.42 % change on previous year | +465.9% |
| 1899 | -8.14 % change on previous year | -107.2% |
| 1900 | -6.66 % change on previous year | -18.2% |
| 1901 | -10.55 % change on previous year | +58.5% |
| 1902 | 10.97 % change on previous year | -204.0% |
| 1903 | -0.1734 % change on previous year | -101.6% |
| 1904 | 3.81 % change on previous year | -2297.1% |
| 1905 | 4.24 % change on previous year | +11.2% |
| 1906 | -1.71 % change on previous year | -140.3% |
| 1907 | 8.71 % change on previous year | -610.8% |
| 1908 | 1.44 % change on previous year | -83.5% |
| 1909 | 11.59 % change on previous year | +705.1% |
| 1910 | -8.66 % change on previous year | -174.7% |
| 1911 | 5.77 % change on previous year | -166.6% |
| 1912 | -2.75 % change on previous year | -147.7% |
| 1913 | 10.39 % change on previous year | -477.2% |
| 1914 | -18.32 % change on previous year | -276.3% |
| 1915 | 4.44 % change on previous year | -124.2% |
| 1916 | -5.05 % change on previous year | -213.7% |
| 1917 | 98.24 % change on previous year | -2046.4% |
| 1918 | 948.11 % change on previous year | +865.0% |
| 1919 | -13.74 % change on previous year | -101.4% |
| 1920 | -84.13 % change on previous year | +512.5% |
| 1921 | -11.45 % change on previous year | -86.4% |
| 1922 | -19.2 % change on previous year | +67.6% |
| 1923 | -15.64 % change on previous year | -18.6% |
| 1924 | -20.47 % change on previous year | +30.9% |
| 1925 | 2.7 % change on previous year | -113.2% |
| 1926 | -1.59 % change on previous year | -159.1% |
| 1927 | 2.04 % change on previous year | -228.1% |
| 1928 | 9.64 % change on previous year | +372.4% |
| 1929 | 3.47 % change on previous year | -64.0% |
| 1930 | 7.91 % change on previous year | +128.1% |
| 1931 | -4.47 % change on previous year | -156.5% |
| 1932 | 4.93 % change on previous year | -210.4% |
| 1933 | 5.5 % change on previous year | +11.6% |
| 1934 | 25.67 % change on previous year | +366.4% |
| 1935 | 1.72 % change on previous year | -93.3% |
| 1936 | 10.13 % change on previous year | +489.8% |
| 1937 | 4.87 % change on previous year | -51.9% |
| 1938 | 14.18 % change on previous year | +190.9% |
| 1939 | 4.45 % change on previous year | -68.6% |
| 1940 | 14.1 % change on previous year | +216.8% |
| 1941 | 353.44 % change on previous year | +2406.1% |
| 1942 | 280.42 % change on previous year | -20.7% |
| 1943 | 156.15 % change on previous year | -44.3% |
| 1944 | 15.45 % change on previous year | -90.1% |
| 1945 | -25.07 % change on previous year | -262.3% |
| 1946 | -37.57 % change on previous year | +49.8% |
| 1947 | -66.26 % change on previous year | +76.4% |
| 1948 | -28.15 % change on previous year | -57.5% |
| 1949 | 14.29 % change on previous year | -150.8% |
| 1950 | -0.3408 % change on previous year | -102.4% |
| 1951 | 105.98 % change on previous year | -31199.8% |
| 1952 | 53.64 % change on previous year | -49.4% |
| 1953 | 0.336 % change on previous year | -99.4% |
| 1954 | -9.7 % change on previous year | -2987.1% |
| 1955 | -11.94 % change on previous year | +23.1% |
| 1956 | 11.55 % change on previous year | -196.8% |
| 1957 | -1.04 % change on previous year | -109.0% |
| 1958 | -0.0373 % change on previous year | -96.4% |
| 1959 | -7.11 % change on previous year | +18970.2% |
| 1960 | -6.33 % change on previous year | -10.9% |
| 1961 | 9.64 % change on previous year | -252.1% |
| 1962 | -0.4073 % change on previous year | -104.2% |
| 1963 | -6.18 % change on previous year | +1417.6% |
| 1964 | 8.95 % change on previous year | -244.8% |
| 1965 | 0.5578 % change on previous year | -93.8% |
| 1966 | 16.62 % change on previous year | +2879.1% |
| 1967 | 12.53 % change on previous year | -24.6% |
| 1968 | -0.4348 % change on previous year | -103.5% |
| 1969 | -2.86 % change on previous year | +557.7% |
| 1970 | -7.03 % change on previous year | +145.8% |
| 1971 | -8.75 % change on previous year | +24.4% |
| 1972 | -0.556 % change on previous year | -93.6% |
| 1973 | -4.96 % change on previous year | +792.3% |
| 1974 | -8.79 % change on previous year | +77.1% |
| 1975 | -1.23 % change on previous year | -86.0% |
| 1976 | -2.15 % change on previous year | +74.7% |
| 1977 | 2.19 % change on previous year | -201.8% |
| 1978 | -0.8126 % change on previous year | -137.1% |
| 1979 | 5.15 % change on previous year | -733.4% |
| 1980 | 2.47 % change on previous year | -52.0% |
| 1981 | 6.91 % change on previous year | +180.0% |
| 1982 | 17.13 % change on previous year | +147.7% |
| 1983 | 1.4 % change on previous year | -91.8% |
| 1984 | 9.01 % change on previous year | +545.3% |
| 1985 | 9.59 % change on previous year | +6.4% |
| 1986 | 2.9 % change on previous year | -69.7% |
| 1987 | -1.8 % change on previous year | -162.0% |
| 1988 | -0.8749 % change on previous year | -51.4% |
| 1989 | 0.7909 % change on previous year | -190.4% |
| 1990 | -4.31 % change on previous year | -645.4% |
| 1991 | -10.73 % change on previous year | +148.7% |
| 1992 | 7.85 % change on previous year | -173.1% |
| 1993 | -4.12 % change on previous year | -152.5% |
| 1994 | 0.2449 % change on previous year | -105.9% |
| 1995 | -5.74 % change on previous year | -2445.5% |
| 1996 | -6.73 % change on previous year | +17.2% |
| 1997 | 1.27 % change on previous year | -118.8% |
| 1998 | 2.32 % change on previous year | +83.3% |
| 1999 | -0.2004 % change on previous year | -108.6% |
| 2000 | 3.01 % change on previous year | -1603.8% |
| 2001 | 8.71 % change on previous year | +189.1% |
| 2002 | -1.09 % change on previous year | -112.5% |
| 2003 | 19.26 % change on previous year | -1873.6% |
| 2004 | 4.22 % change on previous year | -78.1% |
| 2005 | 4.71 % change on previous year | +11.7% |
| 2006 | 5.6 % change on previous year | +18.8% |
| 2007 | 3.79 % change on previous year | -32.3% |
| 2008 | 2.27 % change on previous year | -40.0% |
| 2009 | 1.66 % change on previous year | -26.9% |
| 2010 | 6 % change on previous year | +261.0% |
| 2011 | 0.8532 % change on previous year | -85.8% |
| 2012 | -7.93 % change on previous year | -1029.0% |
| 2013 | -3.73 % change on previous year | -52.9% |
| 2014 | -4.75 % change on previous year | +27.3% |
| 2015 | 2.81 % change on previous year | -159.1% |
| 2016 | 1 % change on previous year | -64.3% |
| 2017 | 4.14 % change on previous year | +313.3% |
| 2018 | 8.82 % change on previous year | +113.1% |
| 2019 | 6.97 % change on previous year | -21.0% |
| 2020 | 10.36 % change on previous year | +48.6% |
| 2021 | 1.1 % change on previous year | -89.4% |
| 2022 | 3.6 % change on previous year | +227.7% |
| 2023 | 2.72 % change on previous year | -24.5% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 2.72 % change on previous year is below the median for high income countries, which is 5.57 % change on previous year, 49% of the median. (55 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Military spending, annual growth rate in United States changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | +31199.8% | -0.3408 % change on previous year | 105.98 % change on previous year |
| 1959 | -18970.2% | -0.0373 % change on previous year | -7.11 % change on previous year |
| 1864 | +15896.9% | 0.4309 % change on previous year | 68.93 % change on previous year |
| 1877 | -6807.6% | 0.1217 % change on previous year | -8.17 % change on previous year |
| 1954 | -2987.1% | 0.336 % change on previous year | -9.7 % change on previous year |
| 1966 | +2879.1% | 0.5578 % change on previous year | 16.62 % change on previous year |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1810s | -13.87 % change on previous year | -26.38 % change on previous year | -6.56 % change on previous year | 3 |
| 1820s | 3.13 % change on previous year | -15.07 % change on previous year | 12.45 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1830s | 4.45 % change on previous year | -8.62 % change on previous year | 28.01 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1840s | 19.5 % change on previous year | -35.62 % change on previous year | 212.44 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1850s | 2.17 % change on previous year | -9.62 % change on previous year | 10.04 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1860s | 1.62 % change on previous year | -90.4 % change on previous year | 68.93 % change on previous year | 9 |
| 1870s | -3.78 % change on previous year | -23.65 % change on previous year | 11.48 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1880s | 2.44 % change on previous year | -5.22 % change on previous year | 11.8 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1890s | 17.51 % change on previous year | -8.14 % change on previous year | 113.42 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1900s | 2.17 % change on previous year | -10.55 % change on previous year | 11.59 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1910s | 101.84 % change on previous year | -18.32 % change on previous year | 948.11 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1920s | -13.46 % change on previous year | -84.13 % change on previous year | 9.64 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1930s | 7.49 % change on previous year | -4.47 % change on previous year | 25.67 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1940s | 67.68 % change on previous year | -66.26 % change on previous year | 353.44 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1950s | 14.13 % change on previous year | -11.94 % change on previous year | 105.98 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1960s | 3.21 % change on previous year | -6.33 % change on previous year | 16.62 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1970s | -2.69 % change on previous year | -8.79 % change on previous year | 5.15 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1980s | 4.75 % change on previous year | -1.8 % change on previous year | 17.13 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1990s | -2.02 % change on previous year | -10.73 % change on previous year | 7.85 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2000s | 5.22 % change on previous year | -1.09 % change on previous year | 19.26 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.42 % change on previous year | -7.93 % change on previous year | 8.82 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.44 % change on previous year | 1.1 % change on previous year | 10.36 % change on previous year | 4 |
Countries ranked near United States
- 119 Trinidad and Tobago 2.96 % change on previous year compare
- 120 Serbia 2.81 % change on previous year compare
- 121 Botswana 2.8 % change on previous year compare
- 123 Philippines 2.68 % change on previous year compare
- 124 Panama 2.66 % change on previous year compare
- 125 Tanzania 2.65 % change on previous year compare
More reference data data for United States
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 19.34 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 24.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 119.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 20.7 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 119.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 64.85 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 52.14 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 133.45 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 589.96 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 112.69 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military spending, annual growth rate in United States?
- Military spending, annual growth rate in United States was 2.72 % change on previous year in 2023, according to Statizoid (derived).
- What is the highest military spending, annual growth rate recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 948.11 % change on previous year in 1918.
- What is the lowest military spending, annual growth rate recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was -90.4 % change on previous year in 1865.
- How does United States rank for military spending, annual growth rate?
- United States ranks 122nd out of 172 countries with data for 2023.
- Is military spending, annual growth rate rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 172.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Military spending, annual growth rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 206 observations, free to reuse under Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page.
How this figure is calculated
The year-on-year percentage change in Military spending. Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.
Computed from
- Military spending Barnum et al. – Global Military Spending Dataset (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data
Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.
About this data
The year-on-year percentage change in Military spending. Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.