Military spending in Australia
Australia: Military spending was 38.94 billion constant 2022 US$ in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
38.94 billion constant 2022 US$
Change on year
up 1.8%
World rank
13th
of 172 countries
All-time high
38.94 billion constant 2022 US$
in 2023
All-time low
152.30 million constant 2022 US$
in 1920
Years of data
104
1920–2023
Military spending in Australia, 1920–2023
Source: Barnum et al. – Global Military Spending Dataset (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in constant 2022 US$.
Analysis
Australia recorded 38.94 billion constant 2022 US$ for military spending in 2023. That is the highest value across all 104 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.8% on the previous year and up 36.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military spending in Australia peaked at 38.94 billion constant 2022 US$ in 2023 and was at its lowest, 152.30 million constant 2022 US$, in 1920.
That places Australia 13th out of 172 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Military spending in Australia, year by year
| Year | constant 2022 US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 152.30 million constant 2022 US$ | — |
| 1921 | 199.47 million constant 2022 US$ | +31.0% |
| 1922 | 290.32 million constant 2022 US$ | +45.5% |
| 1923 | 291.20 million constant 2022 US$ | +0.3% |
| 1924 | 307.09 million constant 2022 US$ | +5.5% |
| 1925 | 334.55 million constant 2022 US$ | +8.9% |
| 1926 | 350.58 million constant 2022 US$ | +4.8% |
| 1927 | 378.36 million constant 2022 US$ | +7.9% |
| 1928 | 344.51 million constant 2022 US$ | -8.9% |
| 1929 | 303.66 million constant 2022 US$ | -11.9% |
| 1930 | 247.94 million constant 2022 US$ | -18.4% |
| 1931 | 196.15 million constant 2022 US$ | -20.9% |
| 1932 | 189.15 million constant 2022 US$ | -3.6% |
| 1933 | 183.73 million constant 2022 US$ | -2.9% |
| 1934 | 252.54 million constant 2022 US$ | +37.4% |
| 1935 | 298.26 million constant 2022 US$ | +18.1% |
| 1936 | 479.76 million constant 2022 US$ | +60.9% |
| 1937 | 566.87 million constant 2022 US$ | +18.2% |
| 1938 | 710.40 million constant 2022 US$ | +25.3% |
| 1939 | 1.07 billion constant 2022 US$ | +50.8% |
| 1940 | 3.06 billion constant 2022 US$ | +185.2% |
| 1941 | 8.31 billion constant 2022 US$ | +171.8% |
| 1942 | 14.76 billion constant 2022 US$ | +77.7% |
| 1943 | 24.00 billion constant 2022 US$ | +62.6% |
| 1944 | 23.52 billion constant 2022 US$ | -2.0% |
| 1945 | 15.38 billion constant 2022 US$ | -34.6% |
| 1946 | 11.23 billion constant 2022 US$ | -27.0% |
| 1947 | 4.31 billion constant 2022 US$ | -61.7% |
| 1948 | 2.72 billion constant 2022 US$ | -36.9% |
| 1949 | 2.47 billion constant 2022 US$ | -9.2% |
| 1950 | 1.69 billion constant 2022 US$ | -31.5% |
| 1951 | 2.72 billion constant 2022 US$ | +61.2% |
| 1952 | 4.14 billion constant 2022 US$ | +52.0% |
| 1953 | 4.04 billion constant 2022 US$ | -2.4% |
| 1954 | 3.92 billion constant 2022 US$ | -2.9% |
| 1955 | 3.72 billion constant 2022 US$ | -5.0% |
| 1956 | 3.93 billion constant 2022 US$ | +5.5% |
| 1957 | 3.75 billion constant 2022 US$ | -4.4% |
| 1958 | 3.59 billion constant 2022 US$ | -4.4% |
| 1959 | 3.39 billion constant 2022 US$ | -5.6% |
| 1960 | 3.01 billion constant 2022 US$ | -11.2% |
| 1961 | 2.72 billion constant 2022 US$ | -9.5% |
| 1962 | 2.47 billion constant 2022 US$ | -9.3% |
| 1963 | 2.33 billion constant 2022 US$ | -5.6% |
| 1964 | 2.52 billion constant 2022 US$ | +8.3% |
| 1965 | 2.79 billion constant 2022 US$ | +10.7% |
| 1966 | 4.01 billion constant 2022 US$ | +43.4% |
| 1967 | 4.99 billion constant 2022 US$ | +24.7% |
| 1968 | 5.99 billion constant 2022 US$ | +20.0% |
| 1969 | 6.38 billion constant 2022 US$ | +6.5% |
| 1970 | 5.73 billion constant 2022 US$ | -10.2% |
| 1971 | 6.62 billion constant 2022 US$ | +15.6% |
| 1972 | 7.35 billion constant 2022 US$ | +10.9% |
| 1973 | 7.37 billion constant 2022 US$ | +0.2% |
| 1974 | 9.19 billion constant 2022 US$ | +24.8% |
| 1975 | 9.33 billion constant 2022 US$ | +1.5% |
| 1976 | 9.81 billion constant 2022 US$ | +5.2% |
| 1977 | 9.36 billion constant 2022 US$ | -4.6% |
| 1978 | 9.04 billion constant 2022 US$ | -3.4% |
| 1979 | 9.77 billion constant 2022 US$ | +8.0% |
| 1980 | 10.28 billion constant 2022 US$ | +5.2% |
| 1981 | 10.47 billion constant 2022 US$ | +1.9% |
| 1982 | 10.74 billion constant 2022 US$ | +2.5% |
| 1983 | 10.40 billion constant 2022 US$ | -3.2% |
| 1984 | 10.62 billion constant 2022 US$ | +2.2% |
| 1985 | 9.49 billion constant 2022 US$ | -10.6% |
| 1986 | 10.95 billion constant 2022 US$ | +15.4% |
| 1987 | 11.19 billion constant 2022 US$ | +2.2% |
| 1988 | 11.65 billion constant 2022 US$ | +4.1% |
| 1989 | 11.37 billion constant 2022 US$ | -2.4% |
| 1990 | 11.45 billion constant 2022 US$ | +0.7% |
| 1991 | 11.82 billion constant 2022 US$ | +3.2% |
| 1992 | 12.77 billion constant 2022 US$ | +8.0% |
| 1993 | 12.75 billion constant 2022 US$ | -0.1% |
| 1994 | 13.18 billion constant 2022 US$ | +3.3% |
| 1995 | 13.18 billion constant 2022 US$ | +0.0% |
| 1996 | 12.91 billion constant 2022 US$ | -2.0% |
| 1997 | 13.06 billion constant 2022 US$ | +1.2% |
| 1998 | 12.98 billion constant 2022 US$ | -0.6% |
| 1999 | 12.55 billion constant 2022 US$ | -3.3% |
| 2000 | 12.27 billion constant 2022 US$ | -2.2% |
| 2001 | 12.22 billion constant 2022 US$ | -0.4% |
| 2002 | 13.16 billion constant 2022 US$ | +7.7% |
| 2003 | 17.76 billion constant 2022 US$ | +35.0% |
| 2004 | 20.13 billion constant 2022 US$ | +13.4% |
| 2005 | 20.06 billion constant 2022 US$ | -0.4% |
| 2006 | 21.77 billion constant 2022 US$ | +8.5% |
| 2007 | 24.58 billion constant 2022 US$ | +12.9% |
| 2008 | 25.95 billion constant 2022 US$ | +5.6% |
| 2009 | 24.67 billion constant 2022 US$ | -5.0% |
| 2010 | 26.62 billion constant 2022 US$ | +7.9% |
| 2011 | 29.21 billion constant 2022 US$ | +9.7% |
| 2012 | 29.62 billion constant 2022 US$ | +1.4% |
| 2013 | 28.58 billion constant 2022 US$ | -3.5% |
| 2014 | 27.25 billion constant 2022 US$ | -4.6% |
| 2015 | 27.95 billion constant 2022 US$ | +2.6% |
| 2016 | 28.88 billion constant 2022 US$ | +3.3% |
| 2017 | 31.70 billion constant 2022 US$ | +9.8% |
| 2018 | 33.72 billion constant 2022 US$ | +6.4% |
| 2019 | 37.16 billion constant 2022 US$ | +10.2% |
| 2020 | 36.59 billion constant 2022 US$ | -1.5% |
| 2021 | 37.69 billion constant 2022 US$ | +3.0% |
| 2022 | 38.26 billion constant 2022 US$ | +1.5% |
| 2023 | 38.94 billion constant 2022 US$ | +1.8% |
Australia compared with similar countries
- Australia's 38.94 billion constant 2022 US$ is above the median for high income countries, which is 6.50 billion constant 2022 US$, 6.0× the median. (55 countries reporting)
- Australia's 38.94 billion constant 2022 US$ is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 4.15 billion constant 2022 US$, 9.4× the median. (20 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Military spending in Australia changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1940 | +185.2% | 1.07 billion constant 2022 US$ | 3.06 billion constant 2022 US$ |
| 1941 | +171.8% | 3.06 billion constant 2022 US$ | 8.31 billion constant 2022 US$ |
| 1942 | +77.7% | 8.31 billion constant 2022 US$ | 14.76 billion constant 2022 US$ |
| 1947 | -61.7% | 11.23 billion constant 2022 US$ | 4.31 billion constant 2022 US$ |
| 1943 | +62.6% | 14.76 billion constant 2022 US$ | 24.00 billion constant 2022 US$ |
| 1936 | +60.9% | 298.26 million constant 2022 US$ | 479.76 million constant 2022 US$ |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 295.20 million constant 2022 US$ | 152.30 million constant 2022 US$ | 378.36 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1930s | 419.63 million constant 2022 US$ | 183.73 million constant 2022 US$ | 1.07 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1940s | 10.97 billion constant 2022 US$ | 2.47 billion constant 2022 US$ | 24.00 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1950s | 3.49 billion constant 2022 US$ | 1.69 billion constant 2022 US$ | 4.14 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1960s | 3.72 billion constant 2022 US$ | 2.33 billion constant 2022 US$ | 6.38 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1970s | 8.36 billion constant 2022 US$ | 5.73 billion constant 2022 US$ | 9.81 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1980s | 10.72 billion constant 2022 US$ | 9.49 billion constant 2022 US$ | 11.65 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 12.66 billion constant 2022 US$ | 11.45 billion constant 2022 US$ | 13.18 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 19.26 billion constant 2022 US$ | 12.22 billion constant 2022 US$ | 25.95 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 30.07 billion constant 2022 US$ | 26.62 billion constant 2022 US$ | 37.16 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 37.87 billion constant 2022 US$ | 36.59 billion constant 2022 US$ | 38.94 billion constant 2022 US$ | 4 |
Countries ranked near Australia
- 10 Germany 62.28 billion constant 2022 US$ compare
- 11 South Korea 57.02 billion constant 2022 US$ compare
- 12 Italy 41.14 billion constant 2022 US$ compare
- 14 Canada 32.57 billion constant 2022 US$ compare
- 15 Israel 31.61 billion constant 2022 US$ compare
- 16 Brazil 27.35 billion constant 2022 US$ compare
More reference data data for Australia
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.21 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 28.02 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 38.41 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 2.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 38.41 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 4.07 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 6.14 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 118.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 170.29 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 13.9 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military spending in Australia?
- Military spending in Australia was 38.94 billion constant 2022 US$ in 2023, according to Barnum et al. – Global Military Spending Dataset (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest military spending recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 38.94 billion constant 2022 US$ in 2023.
- What is the lowest military spending recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 152.30 million constant 2022 US$ in 1920.
- How does Australia rank for military spending?
- Australia ranks 13th out of 172 countries with data for 2023.
- Is military spending rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 36.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from Barnum et al. – Global Military Spending Dataset (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Military spending. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 104 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
This data is expressed in US dollars. It is adjusted for inflation but does not account for differences in the cost of living between countries.