Military spending in Canada
Canada: Military spending was 32.57 billion constant 2022 US$ in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Military spending in Canada, 1920–2023
Source: Barnum et al. - Global Military Spending Dataset (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in constant 2022 US$.
Analysis
The most recent figure for military spending in Canada is 32.57 billion constant 2022 US$, measured in 2023.
The figure is up 8.2% on the previous year and up 63.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military spending in Canada peaked at 53.85 billion constant 2022 US$ in 1943 and was at its lowest, 120.06 million constant 2022 US$, in 1920.
That places Canada 14th out of 172 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 187.57 million constant 2022 US$ | 120.06 million constant 2022 US$ | 269.63 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1930s | 515.61 million constant 2022 US$ | 255.46 million constant 2022 US$ | 1.97 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1940s | 21.86 billion constant 2022 US$ | 2.62 billion constant 2022 US$ | 53.85 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1950s | 12.36 billion constant 2022 US$ | 4.14 billion constant 2022 US$ | 15.45 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1960s | 11.37 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10.68 billion constant 2022 US$ | 11.73 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1970s | 12.18 billion constant 2022 US$ | 11.60 billion constant 2022 US$ | 12.97 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1980s | 16.31 billion constant 2022 US$ | 12.19 billion constant 2022 US$ | 19.16 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 16.17 billion constant 2022 US$ | 13.05 billion constant 2022 US$ | 19.19 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 18.55 billion constant 2022 US$ | 13.55 billion constant 2022 US$ | 23.44 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 21.46 billion constant 2022 US$ | 18.18 billion constant 2022 US$ | 25.91 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 30.17 billion constant 2022 US$ | 28.22 billion constant 2022 US$ | 32.57 billion constant 2022 US$ | 4 |
Countries ranked near Canada
- 11 South Korea 57.02 billion constant 2022 US$ compare
- 12 Italy 41.14 billion constant 2022 US$ compare
- 13 Australia 38.94 billion constant 2022 US$ compare
- 15 Israel 31.61 billion constant 2022 US$ compare
- 16 Brazil 27.35 billion constant 2022 US$ compare
- 17 Poland 26.65 billion constant 2022 US$ compare
More reference data data for Canada
- Spring temperature anomalies -4.58 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 1.7 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 2.12 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 2.47 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies -2.57 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 140.97 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military spending in Canada?
- Military spending in Canada was 32.57 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 Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 53.85 billion constant 2022 US$ in 1943.
- What is the lowest military spending recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 120.06 million constant 2022 US$ in 1920.
- How does Canada rank for military spending?
- Canada ranks 14th out of 172 countries with data for 2023.
- Is military spending rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is up 63.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Canada 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.
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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.