Military spending in South Korea
South Korea: Military spending was 57.02 billion constant 2022 US$ in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Military spending in South Korea, 1949–2023
Source: Barnum et al. - Global Military Spending Dataset (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in constant 2022 US$.
Analysis
The most recent figure for military spending in South Korea is 57.02 billion constant 2022 US$, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.3% on the previous year and up 56.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military spending in South Korea peaked at 58.08 billion constant 2022 US$ in 2021 and was at its lowest, 123.11 million constant 2022 US$, in 1949.
That places South Korea 11th out of 172 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1940s | 123.11 million constant 2022 US$ | 123.11 million constant 2022 US$ | 123.11 million constant 2022 US$ | 1 |
| 1950s | 766.01 million constant 2022 US$ | 325.48 million constant 2022 US$ | 1.05 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1960s | 1.17 billion constant 2022 US$ | 783.85 million constant 2022 US$ | 1.95 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1970s | 4.45 billion constant 2022 US$ | 1.97 billion constant 2022 US$ | 8.96 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1980s | 12.20 billion constant 2022 US$ | 8.98 billion constant 2022 US$ | 17.00 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 21.40 billion constant 2022 US$ | 18.06 billion constant 2022 US$ | 25.71 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 25.72 billion constant 2022 US$ | 19.39 billion constant 2022 US$ | 32.42 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 40.60 billion constant 2022 US$ | 31.84 billion constant 2022 US$ | 53.06 billion constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 56.50 billion constant 2022 US$ | 54.62 billion constant 2022 US$ | 58.08 billion constant 2022 US$ | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
- 8 Ukraine 62.62 billion constant 2022 US$ compare
- 9 Japan 62.31 billion constant 2022 US$ compare
- 10 Germany 62.28 billion constant 2022 US$ compare
- 12 Italy 41.14 billion constant 2022 US$ compare
- 13 Australia 38.94 billion constant 2022 US$ compare
- 14 Canada 32.57 billion constant 2022 US$ compare
More reference data data for South Korea
- Spring temperature anomalies 1.1 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 0.7164 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month -0.8996 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 2.24 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.9115 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 135 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 South Korea?
- Military spending in South Korea was 57.02 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 South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 58.08 billion constant 2022 US$ in 2021.
- What is the lowest military spending recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 123.11 million constant 2022 US$ in 1949.
- How does South Korea rank for military spending?
- South Korea ranks 11th out of 172 countries with data for 2023.
- Is military spending rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 56.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea 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.