Military spending in Denmark
Denmark: Military spending was 8.01 billion constant 2022 US$ in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
8.01 billion constant 2022 US$
Change on year
up 16.9%
World rank
36th
of 172 countries
All-time high
8.01 billion constant 2022 US$
in 2023
All-time low
28.08 million constant 2022 US$
in 1817
Years of data
204
1816–2023
Military spending in Denmark, 1816–2023
Source: Barnum et al. – Global Military Spending Dataset (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in constant 2022 US$.
Analysis
In 2023, military spending in Denmark stood at 8.01 billion constant 2022 US$. That is the highest value across all 204 years on record.
That represents a change of up 16.9% on the previous year and up 53.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military spending in Denmark peaked at 8.01 billion constant 2022 US$ in 2023 and was at its lowest, 28.08 million constant 2022 US$, in 1817.
That places Denmark 36th out of 172 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Military spending in Denmark, year by year
| Year | constant 2022 US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1816 | 32.41 million constant 2022 US$ | — |
| 1817 | 28.08 million constant 2022 US$ | -13.4% |
| 1818 | 28.28 million constant 2022 US$ | +0.7% |
| 1819 | 28.97 million constant 2022 US$ | +2.4% |
| 1820 | 30.84 million constant 2022 US$ | +6.5% |
| 1821 | 32.93 million constant 2022 US$ | +6.8% |
| 1822 | 33.04 million constant 2022 US$ | +0.3% |
| 1823 | 36.18 million constant 2022 US$ | +9.5% |
| 1824 | 38.49 million constant 2022 US$ | +6.4% |
| 1825 | 37.91 million constant 2022 US$ | -1.5% |
| 1826 | 38.46 million constant 2022 US$ | +1.4% |
| 1827 | 37.86 million constant 2022 US$ | -1.5% |
| 1828 | 38.04 million constant 2022 US$ | +0.5% |
| 1829 | 41.31 million constant 2022 US$ | +8.6% |
| 1830 | 38.99 million constant 2022 US$ | -5.6% |
| 1831 | 45.42 million constant 2022 US$ | +16.5% |
| 1832 | 44.69 million constant 2022 US$ | -1.6% |
| 1833 | 48.02 million constant 2022 US$ | +7.5% |
| 1834 | 42.24 million constant 2022 US$ | -12.0% |
| 1835 | 41.10 million constant 2022 US$ | -2.7% |
| 1836 | 40.62 million constant 2022 US$ | -1.2% |
| 1837 | 44.26 million constant 2022 US$ | +8.9% |
| 1838 | 47.55 million constant 2022 US$ | +7.4% |
| 1839 | 48.22 million constant 2022 US$ | +1.4% |
| 1840 | 55.09 million constant 2022 US$ | +14.2% |
| 1841 | 58.83 million constant 2022 US$ | +6.8% |
| 1842 | 60.73 million constant 2022 US$ | +3.2% |
| 1843 | 67.12 million constant 2022 US$ | +10.5% |
| 1844 | 68.90 million constant 2022 US$ | +2.7% |
| 1845 | 67.54 million constant 2022 US$ | -2.0% |
| 1846 | 67.96 million constant 2022 US$ | +0.6% |
| 1847 | 68.75 million constant 2022 US$ | +1.2% |
| 1848 | 76.24 million constant 2022 US$ | +10.9% |
| 1849 | 32.71 million constant 2022 US$ | -57.1% |
| 1850 | 40.02 million constant 2022 US$ | +22.4% |
| 1851 | 61.74 million constant 2022 US$ | +54.3% |
| 1852 | 74.56 million constant 2022 US$ | +20.8% |
| 1853 | 85.40 million constant 2022 US$ | +14.5% |
| 1854 | 84.34 million constant 2022 US$ | -1.2% |
| 1855 | 85.49 million constant 2022 US$ | +1.4% |
| 1856 | 78.18 million constant 2022 US$ | -8.6% |
| 1857 | 76.72 million constant 2022 US$ | -1.9% |
| 1858 | 84.71 million constant 2022 US$ | +10.4% |
| 1859 | 88.36 million constant 2022 US$ | +4.3% |
| 1860 | 90.53 million constant 2022 US$ | +2.5% |
| 1861 | 82.11 million constant 2022 US$ | -9.3% |
| 1862 | 82.69 million constant 2022 US$ | +0.7% |
| 1863 | 71.66 million constant 2022 US$ | -13.3% |
| 1864 | 95.35 million constant 2022 US$ | +33.1% |
| 1865 | 64.10 million constant 2022 US$ | -32.8% |
| 1866 | 60.48 million constant 2022 US$ | -5.6% |
| 1867 | 63.99 million constant 2022 US$ | +5.8% |
| 1868 | 71.24 million constant 2022 US$ | +11.3% |
| 1869 | 75.68 million constant 2022 US$ | +6.2% |
| 1870 | 69.17 million constant 2022 US$ | -8.6% |
| 1871 | 70.48 million constant 2022 US$ | +1.9% |
| 1872 | 75.06 million constant 2022 US$ | +6.5% |
| 1873 | 86.42 million constant 2022 US$ | +15.1% |
| 1874 | 84.91 million constant 2022 US$ | -1.7% |
| 1875 | 90.84 million constant 2022 US$ | +7.0% |
| 1876 | 100.00 million constant 2022 US$ | +10.1% |
| 1877 | 87.96 million constant 2022 US$ | -12.0% |
| 1878 | 97.76 million constant 2022 US$ | +11.1% |
| 1879 | 90.06 million constant 2022 US$ | -7.9% |
| 1880 | 85.77 million constant 2022 US$ | -4.8% |
| 1881 | 88.36 million constant 2022 US$ | +3.0% |
| 1882 | 95.07 million constant 2022 US$ | +7.6% |
| 1883 | 94.70 million constant 2022 US$ | -0.4% |
| 1884 | 99.33 million constant 2022 US$ | +4.9% |
| 1885 | 91.03 million constant 2022 US$ | -8.3% |
| 1886 | 85.35 million constant 2022 US$ | -6.2% |
| 1887 | 79.07 million constant 2022 US$ | -7.4% |
| 1888 | 75.64 million constant 2022 US$ | -4.3% |
| 1889 | 85.94 million constant 2022 US$ | +13.6% |
| 1890 | 99.83 million constant 2022 US$ | +16.2% |
| 1891 | 91.61 million constant 2022 US$ | -8.2% |
| 1892 | 116.69 million constant 2022 US$ | +27.4% |
| 1893 | 117.70 million constant 2022 US$ | +0.9% |
| 1894 | 122.60 million constant 2022 US$ | +4.2% |
| 1895 | 131.17 million constant 2022 US$ | +7.0% |
| 1896 | 133.22 million constant 2022 US$ | +1.6% |
| 1897 | 127.55 million constant 2022 US$ | -4.3% |
| 1898 | 127.33 million constant 2022 US$ | -0.2% |
| 1899 | 130.12 million constant 2022 US$ | +2.2% |
| 1900 | 131.71 million constant 2022 US$ | +1.2% |
| 1901 | 131.19 million constant 2022 US$ | -0.4% |
| 1902 | 132.00 million constant 2022 US$ | +0.6% |
| 1903 | 130.35 million constant 2022 US$ | -1.2% |
| 1904 | 125.83 million constant 2022 US$ | -3.5% |
| 1905 | 134.94 million constant 2022 US$ | +7.2% |
| 1906 | 135.49 million constant 2022 US$ | +0.4% |
| 1907 | 132.92 million constant 2022 US$ | -1.9% |
| 1908 | 141.77 million constant 2022 US$ | +6.7% |
| 1909 | 160.05 million constant 2022 US$ | +12.9% |
| 1910 | 166.32 million constant 2022 US$ | +3.9% |
| 1911 | 175.42 million constant 2022 US$ | +5.5% |
| 1912 | 179.94 million constant 2022 US$ | +2.6% |
| 1913 | 189.30 million constant 2022 US$ | +5.2% |
| 1914 | 143.55 million constant 2022 US$ | -24.2% |
| 1915 | 186.77 million constant 2022 US$ | +30.1% |
| 1916 | 200.73 million constant 2022 US$ | +7.5% |
| 1917 | 215.35 million constant 2022 US$ | +7.3% |
| 1918 | 222.24 million constant 2022 US$ | +3.2% |
| 1919 | 192.51 million constant 2022 US$ | -13.4% |
| 1920 | 171.53 million constant 2022 US$ | -10.9% |
| 1921 | 202.01 million constant 2022 US$ | +17.8% |
| 1922 | 173.94 million constant 2022 US$ | -13.9% |
| 1923 | 146.95 million constant 2022 US$ | -15.5% |
| 1924 | 130.15 million constant 2022 US$ | -11.4% |
| 1925 | 143.04 million constant 2022 US$ | +9.9% |
| 1926 | 154.73 million constant 2022 US$ | +8.2% |
| 1927 | 153.07 million constant 2022 US$ | -1.1% |
| 1928 | 175.79 million constant 2022 US$ | +14.8% |
| 1929 | 167.97 million constant 2022 US$ | -4.4% |
| 1930 | 168.81 million constant 2022 US$ | +0.5% |
| 1931 | 160.32 million constant 2022 US$ | -5.0% |
| 1932 | 142.14 million constant 2022 US$ | -11.3% |
| 1933 | 132.93 million constant 2022 US$ | -6.5% |
| 1934 | 172.09 million constant 2022 US$ | +29.5% |
| 1935 | 174.33 million constant 2022 US$ | +1.3% |
| 1936 | 189.85 million constant 2022 US$ | +8.9% |
| 1937 | 228.62 million constant 2022 US$ | +20.4% |
| 1938 | 369.36 million constant 2022 US$ | +61.6% |
| 1939 | 484.22 million constant 2022 US$ | +31.1% |
| 1940 | 605.96 million constant 2022 US$ | +25.1% |
| 1945 | 638.79 million constant 2022 US$ | +5.4% |
| 1946 | 613.29 million constant 2022 US$ | -4.0% |
| 1947 | 600.12 million constant 2022 US$ | -2.1% |
| 1948 | 594.11 million constant 2022 US$ | -1.0% |
| 1949 | 718.60 million constant 2022 US$ | +21.0% |
| 1950 | 634.02 million constant 2022 US$ | -11.8% |
| 1951 | 736.90 million constant 2022 US$ | +16.2% |
| 1952 | 929.97 million constant 2022 US$ | +26.2% |
| 1953 | 1.18 billion constant 2022 US$ | +26.6% |
| 1954 | 1.20 billion constant 2022 US$ | +1.9% |
| 1955 | 1.18 billion constant 2022 US$ | -1.4% |
| 1956 | 1.30 billion constant 2022 US$ | +10.0% |
| 1957 | 1.29 billion constant 2022 US$ | -1.2% |
| 1958 | 1.30 billion constant 2022 US$ | +1.2% |
| 1959 | 1.20 billion constant 2022 US$ | -7.8% |
| 1960 | 1.27 billion constant 2022 US$ | +5.7% |
| 1961 | 1.43 billion constant 2022 US$ | +12.9% |
| 1962 | 1.79 billion constant 2022 US$ | +25.1% |
| 1963 | 1.79 billion constant 2022 US$ | -0.2% |
| 1964 | 1.93 billion constant 2022 US$ | +7.8% |
| 1965 | 2.14 billion constant 2022 US$ | +11.3% |
| 1966 | 2.22 billion constant 2022 US$ | +3.4% |
| 1967 | 2.39 billion constant 2022 US$ | +8.0% |
| 1968 | 2.62 billion constant 2022 US$ | +9.5% |
| 1969 | 2.58 billion constant 2022 US$ | -1.6% |
| 1970 | 2.68 billion constant 2022 US$ | +3.8% |
| 1971 | 2.93 billion constant 2022 US$ | +9.5% |
| 1972 | 2.87 billion constant 2022 US$ | -2.2% |
| 1973 | 2.81 billion constant 2022 US$ | -2.0% |
| 1974 | 3.23 billion constant 2022 US$ | +15.0% |
| 1975 | 3.48 billion constant 2022 US$ | +7.8% |
| 1976 | 3.34 billion constant 2022 US$ | -4.0% |
| 1977 | 3.70 billion constant 2022 US$ | +10.8% |
| 1978 | 3.89 billion constant 2022 US$ | +5.2% |
| 1979 | 4.12 billion constant 2022 US$ | +5.9% |
| 1980 | 3.85 billion constant 2022 US$ | -6.7% |
| 1981 | 3.53 billion constant 2022 US$ | -8.3% |
| 1982 | 3.60 billion constant 2022 US$ | +2.2% |
| 1983 | 3.48 billion constant 2022 US$ | -3.3% |
| 1984 | 3.61 billion constant 2022 US$ | +3.5% |
| 1985 | 3.61 billion constant 2022 US$ | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 3.81 billion constant 2022 US$ | +5.5% |
| 1987 | 4.14 billion constant 2022 US$ | +8.9% |
| 1988 | 4.23 billion constant 2022 US$ | +2.2% |
| 1989 | 4.30 billion constant 2022 US$ | +1.5% |
| 1990 | 4.24 billion constant 2022 US$ | -1.4% |
| 1991 | 4.13 billion constant 2022 US$ | -2.5% |
| 1992 | 4.56 billion constant 2022 US$ | +10.4% |
| 1993 | 4.64 billion constant 2022 US$ | +1.8% |
| 1994 | 4.65 billion constant 2022 US$ | +0.0% |
| 1995 | 4.75 billion constant 2022 US$ | +2.3% |
| 1996 | 4.74 billion constant 2022 US$ | -0.1% |
| 1997 | 4.59 billion constant 2022 US$ | -3.3% |
| 1998 | 4.51 billion constant 2022 US$ | -1.7% |
| 1999 | 4.33 billion constant 2022 US$ | -3.9% |
| 2000 | 4.04 billion constant 2022 US$ | -6.7% |
| 2001 | 4.19 billion constant 2022 US$ | +3.8% |
| 2002 | 4.41 billion constant 2022 US$ | +5.1% |
| 2003 | 4.56 billion constant 2022 US$ | +3.4% |
| 2004 | 4.94 billion constant 2022 US$ | +8.3% |
| 2005 | 4.73 billion constant 2022 US$ | -4.1% |
| 2006 | 5.01 billion constant 2022 US$ | +5.9% |
| 2007 | 5.14 billion constant 2022 US$ | +2.5% |
| 2008 | 5.53 billion constant 2022 US$ | +7.7% |
| 2009 | 5.13 billion constant 2022 US$ | -7.2% |
| 2010 | 5.38 billion constant 2022 US$ | +4.7% |
| 2011 | 5.20 billion constant 2022 US$ | -3.2% |
| 2012 | 5.31 billion constant 2022 US$ | +2.0% |
| 2013 | 5.22 billion constant 2022 US$ | -1.6% |
| 2014 | 4.83 billion constant 2022 US$ | -7.5% |
| 2015 | 4.30 billion constant 2022 US$ | -11.1% |
| 2016 | 4.31 billion constant 2022 US$ | +0.3% |
| 2017 | 4.88 billion constant 2022 US$ | +13.3% |
| 2018 | 5.39 billion constant 2022 US$ | +10.4% |
| 2019 | 5.94 billion constant 2022 US$ | +10.1% |
| 2020 | 6.29 billion constant 2022 US$ | +5.9% |
| 2021 | 6.30 billion constant 2022 US$ | +0.2% |
| 2022 | 6.85 billion constant 2022 US$ | +8.7% |
| 2023 | 8.01 billion constant 2022 US$ | +16.9% |
Denmark compared with similar countries
- Denmark's 8.01 billion constant 2022 US$ is above the median for high income countries, which is 6.50 billion constant 2022 US$, 1.2× the median. (55 countries reporting)
- Denmark's 8.01 billion constant 2022 US$ is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 2.44 billion constant 2022 US$, 3.3× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Military spending in Denmark changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1849 | -57.1% | 76.24 million constant 2022 US$ | 32.71 million constant 2022 US$ |
| 1938 | +61.6% | 228.62 million constant 2022 US$ | 369.36 million constant 2022 US$ |
| 1851 | +54.3% | 40.02 million constant 2022 US$ | 61.74 million constant 2022 US$ |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1810s | 29.43 million constant 2022 US$ | 28.08 million constant 2022 US$ | 32.41 million constant 2022 US$ | 4 |
| 1820s | 36.51 million constant 2022 US$ | 30.84 million constant 2022 US$ | 41.31 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1830s | 44.11 million constant 2022 US$ | 38.99 million constant 2022 US$ | 48.22 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1840s | 62.39 million constant 2022 US$ | 32.71 million constant 2022 US$ | 76.24 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1850s | 75.95 million constant 2022 US$ | 40.02 million constant 2022 US$ | 88.36 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1860s | 75.78 million constant 2022 US$ | 60.48 million constant 2022 US$ | 95.35 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1870s | 85.27 million constant 2022 US$ | 69.17 million constant 2022 US$ | 100.00 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1880s | 88.03 million constant 2022 US$ | 75.64 million constant 2022 US$ | 99.33 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1890s | 119.78 million constant 2022 US$ | 91.61 million constant 2022 US$ | 133.22 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1900s | 135.62 million constant 2022 US$ | 125.83 million constant 2022 US$ | 160.05 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1910s | 187.21 million constant 2022 US$ | 143.55 million constant 2022 US$ | 222.24 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1920s | 161.92 million constant 2022 US$ | 130.15 million constant 2022 US$ | 202.01 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1930s | 222.27 million constant 2022 US$ | 132.93 million constant 2022 US$ | 484.22 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1940s | 628.48 million constant 2022 US$ | 594.11 million constant 2022 US$ | 718.60 million constant 2022 US$ | 6 |
| 1950s | 1.09 billion constant 2022 US$ | 634.02 million constant 2022 US$ | 1.30 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1960s | 2.02 billion constant 2022 US$ | 1.27 billion constant 2022 US$ | 2.62 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1970s | 3.30 billion constant 2022 US$ | 2.68 billion constant 2022 US$ | 4.12 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1980s | 3.82 billion constant 2022 US$ | 3.48 billion constant 2022 US$ | 4.30 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 4.51 billion constant 2022 US$ | 4.13 billion constant 2022 US$ | 4.75 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 4.77 billion constant 2022 US$ | 4.04 billion constant 2022 US$ | 5.53 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 5.08 billion constant 2022 US$ | 4.30 billion constant 2022 US$ | 5.94 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.86 billion constant 2022 US$ | 6.29 billion constant 2022 US$ | 8.01 billion constant 2022 US$ | 4 |
Countries ranked near Denmark
More reference data data for Denmark
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.1 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.1915 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 2.65 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.4109 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 2.65 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.7 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 2.16 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.03 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 12.99 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 2.24 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military spending in Denmark?
- Military spending in Denmark was 8.01 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 Denmark?
- The highest recorded value was 8.01 billion constant 2022 US$ in 2023.
- What is the lowest military spending recorded in Denmark?
- The lowest recorded value was 28.08 million constant 2022 US$ in 1817.
- How does Denmark rank for military spending?
- Denmark ranks 36th out of 172 countries with data for 2023.
- Is military spending rising or falling in Denmark?
- Over the last ten years it is up 53.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Denmark 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 — 204 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.