Military spending in Guatemala
Guatemala: Military spending was 494.92 million constant 2022 US$ in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
494.92 million constant 2022 US$
Change on year
up 6.2%
World rank
114th
of 172 countries
All-time high
494.92 million constant 2022 US$
in 2023
All-time low
1.89 million constant 2022 US$
in 1923
Years of data
156
1868–2023
Military spending in Guatemala, 1868–2023
Source: Barnum et al. – Global Military Spending Dataset (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in constant 2022 US$.
Analysis
The most recent figure for military spending in Guatemala is 494.92 million constant 2022 US$, measured in 2023. That is the highest value across all 156 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 6.2% on the previous year and up 73.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military spending in Guatemala peaked at 494.92 million constant 2022 US$ in 2023 and was at its lowest, 1.89 million constant 2022 US$, in 1923.
Guatemala ranks 114th of 172 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Military spending in Guatemala, year by year
| Year | constant 2022 US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1868 | 9.16 million constant 2022 US$ | — |
| 1869 | 8.80 million constant 2022 US$ | -4.0% |
| 1870 | 10.59 million constant 2022 US$ | +20.4% |
| 1871 | 14.04 million constant 2022 US$ | +32.5% |
| 1872 | 16.25 million constant 2022 US$ | +15.8% |
| 1873 | 22.01 million constant 2022 US$ | +35.4% |
| 1874 | 22.13 million constant 2022 US$ | +0.6% |
| 1875 | 22.69 million constant 2022 US$ | +2.5% |
| 1876 | 24.98 million constant 2022 US$ | +10.1% |
| 1877 | 24.61 million constant 2022 US$ | -1.5% |
| 1878 | 27.53 million constant 2022 US$ | +11.9% |
| 1879 | 27.86 million constant 2022 US$ | +1.2% |
| 1880 | 25.68 million constant 2022 US$ | -7.8% |
| 1881 | 25.21 million constant 2022 US$ | -1.8% |
| 1882 | 25.89 million constant 2022 US$ | +2.7% |
| 1883 | 27.29 million constant 2022 US$ | +5.4% |
| 1884 | 29.00 million constant 2022 US$ | +6.3% |
| 1885 | 26.10 million constant 2022 US$ | -10.0% |
| 1886 | 28.72 million constant 2022 US$ | +10.0% |
| 1887 | 25.77 million constant 2022 US$ | -10.3% |
| 1888 | 26.77 million constant 2022 US$ | +3.9% |
| 1889 | 27.56 million constant 2022 US$ | +2.9% |
| 1890 | 30.31 million constant 2022 US$ | +10.0% |
| 1891 | 30.16 million constant 2022 US$ | -0.5% |
| 1892 | 34.97 million constant 2022 US$ | +16.0% |
| 1893 | 36.02 million constant 2022 US$ | +3.0% |
| 1894 | 41.07 million constant 2022 US$ | +14.0% |
| 1895 | 51.29 million constant 2022 US$ | +24.9% |
| 1896 | 56.80 million constant 2022 US$ | +10.8% |
| 1897 | 57.49 million constant 2022 US$ | +1.2% |
| 1898 | 60.04 million constant 2022 US$ | +4.4% |
| 1899 | 59.28 million constant 2022 US$ | -1.3% |
| 1900 | 61.64 million constant 2022 US$ | +4.0% |
| 1901 | 65.82 million constant 2022 US$ | +6.8% |
| 1902 | 77.39 million constant 2022 US$ | +17.6% |
| 1903 | 68.01 million constant 2022 US$ | -12.1% |
| 1904 | 60.56 million constant 2022 US$ | -11.0% |
| 1905 | 56.87 million constant 2022 US$ | -6.1% |
| 1906 | 54.19 million constant 2022 US$ | -4.7% |
| 1907 | 54.89 million constant 2022 US$ | +1.3% |
| 1908 | 56.56 million constant 2022 US$ | +3.1% |
| 1909 | 58.17 million constant 2022 US$ | +2.8% |
| 1910 | 51.73 million constant 2022 US$ | -11.1% |
| 1911 | 50.13 million constant 2022 US$ | -3.1% |
| 1912 | 13.21 million constant 2022 US$ | -73.6% |
| 1913 | 12.88 million constant 2022 US$ | -2.5% |
| 1914 | 4.90 million constant 2022 US$ | -62.0% |
| 1915 | 5.42 million constant 2022 US$ | +10.6% |
| 1916 | 5.00 million constant 2022 US$ | -7.8% |
| 1917 | 3.86 million constant 2022 US$ | -22.8% |
| 1918 | 3.42 million constant 2022 US$ | -11.3% |
| 1919 | 2.59 million constant 2022 US$ | -24.3% |
| 1920 | 1.91 million constant 2022 US$ | -26.4% |
| 1921 | 2.06 million constant 2022 US$ | +8.3% |
| 1922 | 1.94 million constant 2022 US$ | -6.0% |
| 1923 | 1.89 million constant 2022 US$ | -2.6% |
| 1924 | 13.16 million constant 2022 US$ | +596.3% |
| 1925 | 17.46 million constant 2022 US$ | +32.6% |
| 1926 | 22.41 million constant 2022 US$ | +28.4% |
| 1927 | 25.26 million constant 2022 US$ | +12.7% |
| 1928 | 27.67 million constant 2022 US$ | +9.5% |
| 1929 | 26.92 million constant 2022 US$ | -2.7% |
| 1930 | 27.12 million constant 2022 US$ | +0.8% |
| 1931 | 25.15 million constant 2022 US$ | -7.3% |
| 1932 | 25.93 million constant 2022 US$ | +3.1% |
| 1933 | 24.74 million constant 2022 US$ | -4.6% |
| 1934 | 30.25 million constant 2022 US$ | +22.3% |
| 1935 | 31.60 million constant 2022 US$ | +4.5% |
| 1936 | 31.28 million constant 2022 US$ | -1.0% |
| 1937 | 30.80 million constant 2022 US$ | -1.5% |
| 1938 | 33.32 million constant 2022 US$ | +8.2% |
| 1939 | 32.19 million constant 2022 US$ | -3.4% |
| 1940 | 35.34 million constant 2022 US$ | +9.8% |
| 1941 | 34.13 million constant 2022 US$ | -3.4% |
| 1942 | 30.50 million constant 2022 US$ | -10.6% |
| 1943 | 29.70 million constant 2022 US$ | -2.6% |
| 1944 | 32.95 million constant 2022 US$ | +10.9% |
| 1945 | 41.03 million constant 2022 US$ | +24.5% |
| 1946 | 38.28 million constant 2022 US$ | -6.7% |
| 1947 | 38.45 million constant 2022 US$ | +0.4% |
| 1948 | 39.60 million constant 2022 US$ | +3.0% |
| 1949 | 52.88 million constant 2022 US$ | +33.5% |
| 1950 | 50.20 million constant 2022 US$ | -5.1% |
| 1951 | 48.24 million constant 2022 US$ | -3.9% |
| 1952 | 56.94 million constant 2022 US$ | +18.0% |
| 1953 | 58.59 million constant 2022 US$ | +2.9% |
| 1954 | 64.33 million constant 2022 US$ | +9.8% |
| 1955 | 70.74 million constant 2022 US$ | +10.0% |
| 1956 | 88.15 million constant 2022 US$ | +24.6% |
| 1957 | 88.67 million constant 2022 US$ | +0.6% |
| 1958 | 88.74 million constant 2022 US$ | +0.1% |
| 1959 | 84.61 million constant 2022 US$ | -4.7% |
| 1960 | 76.75 million constant 2022 US$ | -9.3% |
| 1961 | 79.25 million constant 2022 US$ | +3.3% |
| 1962 | 82.10 million constant 2022 US$ | +3.6% |
| 1963 | 87.64 million constant 2022 US$ | +6.7% |
| 1964 | 97.33 million constant 2022 US$ | +11.1% |
| 1965 | 108.84 million constant 2022 US$ | +11.8% |
| 1966 | 104.34 million constant 2022 US$ | -4.1% |
| 1967 | 108.40 million constant 2022 US$ | +3.9% |
| 1968 | 105.93 million constant 2022 US$ | -2.3% |
| 1969 | 101.51 million constant 2022 US$ | -4.2% |
| 1970 | 158.02 million constant 2022 US$ | +55.7% |
| 1971 | 121.56 million constant 2022 US$ | -23.1% |
| 1972 | 128.07 million constant 2022 US$ | +5.4% |
| 1973 | 113.88 million constant 2022 US$ | -11.1% |
| 1974 | 125.49 million constant 2022 US$ | +10.2% |
| 1975 | 164.84 million constant 2022 US$ | +31.4% |
| 1976 | 190.86 million constant 2022 US$ | +15.8% |
| 1977 | 197.64 million constant 2022 US$ | +3.6% |
| 1978 | 227.38 million constant 2022 US$ | +15.0% |
| 1979 | 273.31 million constant 2022 US$ | +20.2% |
| 1980 | 278.61 million constant 2022 US$ | +1.9% |
| 1981 | 269.03 million constant 2022 US$ | -3.4% |
| 1982 | 341.92 million constant 2022 US$ | +27.1% |
| 1983 | 357.71 million constant 2022 US$ | +4.6% |
| 1984 | 363.82 million constant 2022 US$ | +1.7% |
| 1985 | 326.29 million constant 2022 US$ | -10.3% |
| 1986 | 291.69 million constant 2022 US$ | -10.6% |
| 1987 | 294.28 million constant 2022 US$ | +0.9% |
| 1988 | 285.39 million constant 2022 US$ | -3.0% |
| 1989 | 258.48 million constant 2022 US$ | -9.4% |
| 1990 | 228.73 million constant 2022 US$ | -11.5% |
| 1991 | 213.28 million constant 2022 US$ | -6.8% |
| 1992 | 245.76 million constant 2022 US$ | +15.2% |
| 1993 | 237.27 million constant 2022 US$ | -3.5% |
| 1994 | 265.10 million constant 2022 US$ | +11.7% |
| 1995 | 288.85 million constant 2022 US$ | +9.0% |
| 1996 | 288.81 million constant 2022 US$ | -0.0% |
| 1997 | 280.01 million constant 2022 US$ | -3.0% |
| 1998 | 269.36 million constant 2022 US$ | -3.8% |
| 1999 | 252.56 million constant 2022 US$ | -6.2% |
| 2000 | 255.89 million constant 2022 US$ | +1.3% |
| 2001 | 284.81 million constant 2022 US$ | +11.3% |
| 2002 | 253.93 million constant 2022 US$ | -10.8% |
| 2003 | 225.07 million constant 2022 US$ | -11.4% |
| 2004 | 178.58 million constant 2022 US$ | -20.7% |
| 2005 | 151.17 million constant 2022 US$ | -15.3% |
| 2006 | 184.22 million constant 2022 US$ | +21.9% |
| 2007 | 203.02 million constant 2022 US$ | +10.2% |
| 2008 | 206.45 million constant 2022 US$ | +1.7% |
| 2009 | 205.58 million constant 2022 US$ | -0.4% |
| 2010 | 201.38 million constant 2022 US$ | -2.0% |
| 2011 | 232.70 million constant 2022 US$ | +15.6% |
| 2012 | 251.40 million constant 2022 US$ | +8.0% |
| 2013 | 285.18 million constant 2022 US$ | +13.4% |
| 2014 | 288.69 million constant 2022 US$ | +1.2% |
| 2015 | 316.13 million constant 2022 US$ | +9.5% |
| 2016 | 320.03 million constant 2022 US$ | +1.2% |
| 2017 | 334.38 million constant 2022 US$ | +4.5% |
| 2018 | 347.80 million constant 2022 US$ | +4.0% |
| 2019 | 415.54 million constant 2022 US$ | +19.5% |
| 2020 | 434.70 million constant 2022 US$ | +4.6% |
| 2021 | 446.62 million constant 2022 US$ | +2.7% |
| 2022 | 465.93 million constant 2022 US$ | +4.3% |
| 2023 | 494.92 million constant 2022 US$ | +6.2% |
Guatemala compared with similar countries
- Guatemala's 494.92 million constant 2022 US$ is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1.25 billion constant 2022 US$, 40% of the median. (49 countries reporting)
- Guatemala's 494.92 million constant 2022 US$ is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 509.92 million constant 2022 US$, 97% of the median. (27 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Military spending in Guatemala changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1924 | +596.3% | 1.89 million constant 2022 US$ | 13.16 million constant 2022 US$ |
| 1912 | -73.6% | 50.13 million constant 2022 US$ | 13.21 million constant 2022 US$ |
| 1914 | -62.0% | 12.88 million constant 2022 US$ | 4.90 million constant 2022 US$ |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1860s | 8.98 million constant 2022 US$ | 8.80 million constant 2022 US$ | 9.16 million constant 2022 US$ | 2 |
| 1870s | 21.27 million constant 2022 US$ | 10.59 million constant 2022 US$ | 27.86 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1880s | 26.80 million constant 2022 US$ | 25.21 million constant 2022 US$ | 29.00 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1890s | 45.74 million constant 2022 US$ | 30.16 million constant 2022 US$ | 60.04 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1900s | 61.41 million constant 2022 US$ | 54.19 million constant 2022 US$ | 77.39 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1910s | 15.31 million constant 2022 US$ | 2.59 million constant 2022 US$ | 51.73 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1920s | 14.07 million constant 2022 US$ | 1.89 million constant 2022 US$ | 27.67 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1930s | 29.24 million constant 2022 US$ | 24.74 million constant 2022 US$ | 33.32 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1940s | 37.29 million constant 2022 US$ | 29.70 million constant 2022 US$ | 52.88 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1950s | 69.92 million constant 2022 US$ | 48.24 million constant 2022 US$ | 88.74 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1960s | 95.21 million constant 2022 US$ | 76.75 million constant 2022 US$ | 108.84 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1970s | 170.10 million constant 2022 US$ | 113.88 million constant 2022 US$ | 273.31 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1980s | 306.72 million constant 2022 US$ | 258.48 million constant 2022 US$ | 363.82 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 256.97 million constant 2022 US$ | 213.28 million constant 2022 US$ | 288.85 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 214.87 million constant 2022 US$ | 151.17 million constant 2022 US$ | 284.81 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 299.32 million constant 2022 US$ | 201.38 million constant 2022 US$ | 415.54 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 460.54 million constant 2022 US$ | 434.70 million constant 2022 US$ | 494.92 million constant 2022 US$ | 4 |
Countries ranked near Guatemala
- 111 El Salvador 509.92 million constant 2022 US$ compare
- 112 Guinea 507.79 million constant 2022 US$ compare
- 113 Georgia 498.02 million constant 2022 US$ compare
- 115 Paraguay 476.41 million constant 2022 US$ compare
- 116 Namibia 463.26 million constant 2022 US$ compare
- 117 Kyrgyzstan 439.89 million constant 2022 US$ compare
More reference data data for Guatemala
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.9286 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.39 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 3.72 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.1246 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 3.72 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.11 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.9 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 7.68 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 18.61 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.6786 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military spending in Guatemala?
- Military spending in Guatemala was 494.92 million 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 Guatemala?
- The highest recorded value was 494.92 million constant 2022 US$ in 2023.
- What is the lowest military spending recorded in Guatemala?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.89 million constant 2022 US$ in 1923.
- How does Guatemala rank for military spending?
- Guatemala ranks 114th out of 172 countries with data for 2023.
- Is military spending rising or falling in Guatemala?
- Over the last ten years it is up 73.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Guatemala 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
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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.