Military spending per military personnel in Japan
Japan: Military spending per military personnel was 238,965 constant 2022 US$ in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
238,965 constant 2022 US$
Change on year
down 2.8%
World rank
23rd
of 170 countries
All-time high
295,902 constant 2022 US$
in 1994
All-time low
3,564 constant 2022 US$
in 1862
Years of data
151
1860–2022
Military spending per military personnel in Japan, 1860–2022
Source: Barnum et al. – Global Military Spending Dataset (2025); Correlates of War – National Material Capabilities Version 7.0 (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in constant 2022 US$.
Analysis
Japan recorded 238,965 constant 2022 US$ for military spending per military personnel in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.8% on the previous year and down 7.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military spending per military personnel in Japan peaked at 295,902 constant 2022 US$ in 1994 and was at its lowest, 3,564 constant 2022 US$, in 1862.
That places Japan 23rd out of 170 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Military spending per military personnel in Japan, year by year
| Year | constant 2022 US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 4,392 constant 2022 US$ | — |
| 1861 | 4,049 constant 2022 US$ | -7.8% |
| 1862 | 3,564 constant 2022 US$ | -12.0% |
| 1869 | 11,467 constant 2022 US$ | +221.7% |
| 1870 | 9,447 constant 2022 US$ | -17.6% |
| 1871 | 4,395 constant 2022 US$ | -53.5% |
| 1872 | 7,534 constant 2022 US$ | +71.4% |
| 1873 | 4,964 constant 2022 US$ | -34.1% |
| 1874 | 5,068 constant 2022 US$ | +2.1% |
| 1875 | 5,175 constant 2022 US$ | +2.1% |
| 1876 | 6,166 constant 2022 US$ | +19.2% |
| 1877 | 4,054 constant 2022 US$ | -34.2% |
| 1878 | 4,170 constant 2022 US$ | +2.9% |
| 1879 | 4,209 constant 2022 US$ | +0.9% |
| 1880 | 4,152 constant 2022 US$ | -1.4% |
| 1881 | 4,254 constant 2022 US$ | +2.4% |
| 1882 | 4,619 constant 2022 US$ | +8.6% |
| 1883 | 4,710 constant 2022 US$ | +2.0% |
| 1884 | 5,382 constant 2022 US$ | +14.3% |
| 1885 | 5,107 constant 2022 US$ | -5.1% |
| 1886 | 5,954 constant 2022 US$ | +16.6% |
| 1887 | 5,440 constant 2022 US$ | -8.6% |
| 1888 | 6,096 constant 2022 US$ | +12.1% |
| 1889 | 5,744 constant 2022 US$ | -5.8% |
| 1890 | 6,254 constant 2022 US$ | +8.9% |
| 1891 | 4,176 constant 2022 US$ | -33.2% |
| 1892 | 4,405 constant 2022 US$ | +5.5% |
| 1893 | 4,682 constant 2022 US$ | +6.3% |
| 1894 | 19,258 constant 2022 US$ | +311.3% |
| 1895 | 6,471 constant 2022 US$ | -66.4% |
| 1896 | 13,268 constant 2022 US$ | +105.0% |
| 1897 | 10,877 constant 2022 US$ | -18.0% |
| 1898 | 9,361 constant 2022 US$ | -13.9% |
| 1899 | 10,343 constant 2022 US$ | +10.5% |
| 1900 | 8,750 constant 2022 US$ | -15.4% |
| 1901 | 7,124 constant 2022 US$ | -18.6% |
| 1902 | 6,778 constant 2022 US$ | -4.9% |
| 1903 | 7,424 constant 2022 US$ | +9.5% |
| 1904 | 36,414 constant 2022 US$ | +390.5% |
| 1905 | 22,654 constant 2022 US$ | -37.8% |
| 1906 | 16,460 constant 2022 US$ | -27.3% |
| 1907 | 12,280 constant 2022 US$ | -25.4% |
| 1908 | 10,308 constant 2022 US$ | -16.1% |
| 1909 | 9,884 constant 2022 US$ | -4.1% |
| 1910 | 8,639 constant 2022 US$ | -12.6% |
| 1911 | 8,618 constant 2022 US$ | -0.2% |
| 1912 | 8,681 constant 2022 US$ | +0.7% |
| 1913 | 8,331 constant 2022 US$ | -4.0% |
| 1914 | 7,434 constant 2022 US$ | -10.8% |
| 1915 | 3,760 constant 2022 US$ | -49.4% |
| 1916 | 3,996 constant 2022 US$ | +6.3% |
| 1917 | 4,661 constant 2022 US$ | +16.7% |
| 1918 | 8,587 constant 2022 US$ | +84.2% |
| 1919 | 16,612 constant 2022 US$ | +93.5% |
| 1920 | 14,497 constant 2022 US$ | -12.7% |
| 1921 | 15,937 constant 2022 US$ | +9.9% |
| 1922 | 14,085 constant 2022 US$ | -11.6% |
| 1923 | 11,734 constant 2022 US$ | -16.7% |
| 1924 | 9,802 constant 2022 US$ | -16.5% |
| 1925 | 9,312 constant 2022 US$ | -5.0% |
| 1926 | 10,086 constant 2022 US$ | +8.3% |
| 1927 | 11,353 constant 2022 US$ | +12.6% |
| 1928 | 11,071 constant 2022 US$ | -2.5% |
| 1929 | 11,143 constant 2022 US$ | +0.6% |
| 1930 | 11,365 constant 2022 US$ | +2.0% |
| 1931 | 10,798 constant 2022 US$ | -5.0% |
| 1932 | 8,182 constant 2022 US$ | -24.2% |
| 1933 | 9,668 constant 2022 US$ | +18.2% |
| 1934 | 11,748 constant 2022 US$ | +21.5% |
| 1935 | 11,504 constant 2022 US$ | -2.1% |
| 1936 | 11,392 constant 2022 US$ | -1.0% |
| 1937 | 36,839 constant 2022 US$ | +223.4% |
| 1938 | 79,074 constant 2022 US$ | +114.7% |
| 1939 | 28,401 constant 2022 US$ | -64.1% |
| 1940 | 32,213 constant 2022 US$ | +13.4% |
| 1941 | 15,210 constant 2022 US$ | -52.8% |
| 1942 | 21,514 constant 2022 US$ | +41.4% |
| 1943 | 30,077 constant 2022 US$ | +39.8% |
| 1944 | 52,207 constant 2022 US$ | +73.6% |
| 1945 | 7,505 constant 2022 US$ | -85.6% |
| 1952 | 32,617 constant 2022 US$ | +334.6% |
| 1953 | 34,779 constant 2022 US$ | +6.6% |
| 1954 | 24,711 constant 2022 US$ | -28.9% |
| 1955 | 19,642 constant 2022 US$ | -20.5% |
| 1956 | 18,044 constant 2022 US$ | -8.1% |
| 1957 | 17,465 constant 2022 US$ | -3.2% |
| 1958 | 16,198 constant 2022 US$ | -7.3% |
| 1959 | 14,786 constant 2022 US$ | -8.7% |
| 1960 | 13,727 constant 2022 US$ | -7.2% |
| 1961 | 18,041 constant 2022 US$ | +31.4% |
| 1962 | 19,596 constant 2022 US$ | +8.6% |
| 1963 | 19,443 constant 2022 US$ | -0.8% |
| 1964 | 22,077 constant 2022 US$ | +13.6% |
| 1965 | 26,052 constant 2022 US$ | +18.0% |
| 1966 | 30,842 constant 2022 US$ | +18.4% |
| 1967 | 34,461 constant 2022 US$ | +11.7% |
| 1968 | 38,187 constant 2022 US$ | +10.8% |
| 1969 | 43,816 constant 2022 US$ | +14.7% |
| 1970 | 46,438 constant 2022 US$ | +6.0% |
| 1971 | 56,143 constant 2022 US$ | +20.9% |
| 1972 | 67,473 constant 2022 US$ | +20.2% |
| 1973 | 67,324 constant 2022 US$ | -0.2% |
| 1974 | 74,664 constant 2022 US$ | +10.9% |
| 1975 | 76,881 constant 2022 US$ | +3.0% |
| 1976 | 80,644 constant 2022 US$ | +4.9% |
| 1977 | 91,623 constant 2022 US$ | +13.6% |
| 1978 | 101,251 constant 2022 US$ | +10.5% |
| 1979 | 110,250 constant 2022 US$ | +8.9% |
| 1980 | 104,036 constant 2022 US$ | -5.6% |
| 1981 | 104,245 constant 2022 US$ | +0.2% |
| 1982 | 117,431 constant 2022 US$ | +12.6% |
| 1983 | 124,273 constant 2022 US$ | +5.8% |
| 1984 | 138,565 constant 2022 US$ | +11.5% |
| 1985 | 156,467 constant 2022 US$ | +12.9% |
| 1986 | 187,833 constant 2022 US$ | +20.0% |
| 1987 | 216,458 constant 2022 US$ | +15.2% |
| 1988 | 213,405 constant 2022 US$ | -1.4% |
| 1989 | 218,326 constant 2022 US$ | +2.3% |
| 1990 | 213,132 constant 2022 US$ | -2.4% |
| 1991 | 226,225 constant 2022 US$ | +6.1% |
| 1992 | 270,742 constant 2022 US$ | +19.7% |
| 1993 | 284,572 constant 2022 US$ | +5.1% |
| 1994 | 295,902 constant 2022 US$ | +4.0% |
| 1995 | 292,995 constant 2022 US$ | -1.0% |
| 1996 | 264,437 constant 2022 US$ | -9.7% |
| 1997 | 265,948 constant 2022 US$ | +0.6% |
| 1998 | 237,841 constant 2022 US$ | -10.6% |
| 1999 | 265,486 constant 2022 US$ | +11.6% |
| 2000 | 266,560 constant 2022 US$ | +0.4% |
| 2001 | 256,424 constant 2022 US$ | -3.8% |
| 2002 | 253,765 constant 2022 US$ | -1.0% |
| 2003 | 257,837 constant 2022 US$ | +1.6% |
| 2004 | 255,345 constant 2022 US$ | -1.0% |
| 2005 | 236,660 constant 2022 US$ | -7.3% |
| 2006 | 208,599 constant 2022 US$ | -11.9% |
| 2007 | 230,492 constant 2022 US$ | +10.5% |
| 2008 | 227,830 constant 2022 US$ | -1.2% |
| 2009 | 258,306 constant 2022 US$ | +13.4% |
| 2010 | 265,831 constant 2022 US$ | +2.9% |
| 2011 | 265,322 constant 2022 US$ | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 256,969 constant 2022 US$ | -3.1% |
| 2013 | 229,631 constant 2022 US$ | -10.6% |
| 2014 | 212,388 constant 2022 US$ | -7.5% |
| 2015 | 207,416 constant 2022 US$ | -2.3% |
| 2016 | 209,703 constant 2022 US$ | +1.1% |
| 2017 | 231,874 constant 2022 US$ | +10.6% |
| 2018 | 234,618 constant 2022 US$ | +1.2% |
| 2019 | 253,035 constant 2022 US$ | +7.8% |
| 2020 | 252,028 constant 2022 US$ | -0.4% |
| 2021 | 245,940 constant 2022 US$ | -2.4% |
| 2022 | 238,965 constant 2022 US$ | -2.8% |
Japan compared with similar countries
- Japan's 238,965 constant 2022 US$ is above the median for high income countries, which is 182,526 constant 2022 US$, 1.3× the median. (54 countries reporting)
- Japan's 238,965 constant 2022 US$ is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 28,962 constant 2022 US$, 8.3× the median. (20 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Military spending per military personnel in Japan changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1904 | +390.5% | 7,424 constant 2022 US$ | 36,414 constant 2022 US$ |
| 1952 | +334.6% | 7,505 constant 2022 US$ | 32,617 constant 2022 US$ |
| 1894 | +311.3% | 4,682 constant 2022 US$ | 19,258 constant 2022 US$ |
| 1937 | +223.4% | 11,392 constant 2022 US$ | 36,839 constant 2022 US$ |
| 1869 | +221.7% | 3,564 constant 2022 US$ | 11,467 constant 2022 US$ |
| 1938 | +114.7% | 36,839 constant 2022 US$ | 79,074 constant 2022 US$ |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1860s | 5,868 constant 2022 US$ | 3,564 constant 2022 US$ | 11,467 constant 2022 US$ | 4 |
| 1870s | 5,518 constant 2022 US$ | 4,054 constant 2022 US$ | 9,447 constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1880s | 5,146 constant 2022 US$ | 4,152 constant 2022 US$ | 6,096 constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1890s | 8,909 constant 2022 US$ | 4,176 constant 2022 US$ | 19,258 constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1900s | 13,808 constant 2022 US$ | 6,778 constant 2022 US$ | 36,414 constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1910s | 7,932 constant 2022 US$ | 3,760 constant 2022 US$ | 16,612 constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1920s | 11,902 constant 2022 US$ | 9,312 constant 2022 US$ | 15,937 constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1930s | 21,897 constant 2022 US$ | 8,182 constant 2022 US$ | 79,074 constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1940s | 26,455 constant 2022 US$ | 7,505 constant 2022 US$ | 52,207 constant 2022 US$ | 6 |
| 1950s | 22,280 constant 2022 US$ | 14,786 constant 2022 US$ | 34,779 constant 2022 US$ | 8 |
| 1960s | 26,624 constant 2022 US$ | 13,727 constant 2022 US$ | 43,816 constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1970s | 77,269 constant 2022 US$ | 46,438 constant 2022 US$ | 110,250 constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1980s | 158,104 constant 2022 US$ | 104,036 constant 2022 US$ | 218,326 constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 261,728 constant 2022 US$ | 213,132 constant 2022 US$ | 295,902 constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 245,182 constant 2022 US$ | 208,599 constant 2022 US$ | 266,560 constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 236,679 constant 2022 US$ | 207,416 constant 2022 US$ | 265,831 constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 245,644 constant 2022 US$ | 238,965 constant 2022 US$ | 252,028 constant 2022 US$ | 3 |
Countries ranked near Japan
More reference data data for Japan
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.19 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.981 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 4.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.3629 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 4.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.98 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 4.16 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 5.57 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 23.74 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.98 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military spending per military personnel in Japan?
- Military spending per military personnel in Japan was 238,965 constant 2022 US$ in 2022, according to Barnum et al. – Global Military Spending Dataset (2025); Correlates of War – National Material Capabilities Version 7.0 (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest military spending per military personnel recorded in Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 295,902 constant 2022 US$ in 1994.
- What is the lowest military spending per military personnel recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,564 constant 2022 US$ in 1862.
- How does Japan rank for military spending per military personnel?
- Japan ranks 23rd out of 170 countries with data for 2022.
- Is military spending per military personnel rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 7.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Japan data come from?
- The figures come from Barnum et al. – Global Military Spending Dataset (2025); Correlates of War – National Material Capabilities Version 7.0 (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Military spending per military personnel. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 151 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.