Military spending per military personnel in United States
United States: Military spending per military personnel was 762,321 in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
762,321
Change on year
up 6.3%
World rank
2nd
of 170 countries
All-time high
762,321
in 2022
All-time low
2,456
in 1865
Years of data
207
1816–2022
Military spending per military personnel in United States, 1816–2022
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for military spending per military personnel in United States is 762,321, measured in 2022. That is the highest value across all 207 years on record.
That represents a change of up 6.3% on the previous year and up 53.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military spending per military personnel in United States peaked at 762,321 in 2022 and was at its lowest, 2,456, in 1865.
United States ranks 2nd of 170 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Military spending per military personnel in United States, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1816 | 14,869 | — |
| 1817 | 12,406 | -16.6% |
| 1818 | 12,420 | +0.1% |
| 1819 | 12,217 | -1.6% |
| 1820 | 9,762 | -20.1% |
| 1821 | 13,500 | +38.3% |
| 1822 | 12,612 | -6.6% |
| 1823 | 12,530 | -0.7% |
| 1824 | 13,295 | +6.1% |
| 1825 | 13,877 | +4.4% |
| 1826 | 14,304 | +3.1% |
| 1827 | 14,480 | +1.2% |
| 1828 | 17,411 | +20.2% |
| 1829 | 17,411 | +0.0% |
| 1830 | 15,909 | -8.6% |
| 1831 | 22,216 | +39.6% |
| 1832 | 21,835 | -1.7% |
| 1833 | 21,617 | -1.0% |
| 1834 | 21,060 | -2.6% |
| 1835 | 20,693 | -1.7% |
| 1836 | 16,682 | -19.4% |
| 1837 | 14,337 | -14.1% |
| 1838 | 17,915 | +25.0% |
| 1839 | 16,296 | -9.0% |
| 1840 | 15,953 | -2.1% |
| 1841 | 16,697 | +4.7% |
| 1842 | 15,522 | -7.0% |
| 1843 | 15,421 | -0.7% |
| 1844 | 17,396 | +12.8% |
| 1845 | 19,433 | +11.7% |
| 1846 | 32,693 | +68.2% |
| 1847 | 14,154 | -56.7% |
| 1848 | 14,898 | +5.3% |
| 1849 | 30,719 | +106.2% |
| 1850 | 30,409 | -1.0% |
| 1851 | 30,650 | +0.8% |
| 1852 | 31,546 | +2.9% |
| 1853 | 32,628 | +3.4% |
| 1854 | 35,015 | +7.3% |
| 1855 | 29,291 | -16.3% |
| 1856 | 32,230 | +10.0% |
| 1857 | 30,293 | -6.0% |
| 1858 | 30,008 | -0.9% |
| 1859 | 29,776 | -0.8% |
| 1860 | 33,008 | +10.9% |
| 1861 | 47,412 | +43.6% |
| 1862 | 23,827 | -49.7% |
| 1863 | 16,776 | -29.6% |
| 1864 | 26,362 | +57.1% |
| 1865 | 2,456 | -90.7% |
| 1866 | 29,622 | +1106.1% |
| 1867 | 31,945 | +7.8% |
| 1868 | 33,877 | +6.0% |
| 1869 | 37,397 | +10.4% |
| 1870 | 29,695 | -20.6% |
| 1871 | 32,472 | +9.4% |
| 1872 | 32,884 | +1.3% |
| 1873 | 35,807 | +8.9% |
| 1874 | 31,258 | -12.7% |
| 1875 | 34,373 | +10.0% |
| 1876 | 31,896 | -7.2% |
| 1877 | 35,323 | +10.7% |
| 1878 | 35,852 | +1.5% |
| 1879 | 33,137 | -7.6% |
| 1880 | 31,994 | -3.4% |
| 1881 | 32,480 | +1.5% |
| 1882 | 33,866 | +4.3% |
| 1883 | 35,642 | +5.2% |
| 1884 | 33,576 | -5.8% |
| 1885 | 31,824 | -5.2% |
| 1886 | 34,769 | +9.3% |
| 1887 | 33,874 | -2.6% |
| 1888 | 37,871 | +11.8% |
| 1889 | 40,517 | +7.0% |
| 1890 | 48,113 | +18.7% |
| 1891 | 49,048 | +1.9% |
| 1892 | 50,932 | +3.8% |
| 1893 | 52,143 | +2.4% |
| 1894 | 50,870 | -2.4% |
| 1895 | 55,726 | +9.5% |
| 1896 | 60,264 | +8.1% |
| 1897 | 69,054 | +14.6% |
| 1898 | 27,477 | -60.2% |
| 1899 | 59,567 | +116.8% |
| 1900 | 44,127 | -25.9% |
| 1901 | 44,404 | +0.6% |
| 1902 | 49,720 | +12.0% |
| 1903 | 51,975 | +4.5% |
| 1904 | 51,993 | +0.0% |
| 1905 | 55,198 | +6.2% |
| 1906 | 52,319 | -5.2% |
| 1907 | 58,983 | +12.7% |
| 1908 | 50,092 | -15.1% |
| 1909 | 50,781 | +1.4% |
| 1910 | 47,383 | -6.7% |
| 1911 | 48,045 | +1.4% |
| 1912 | 44,278 | -7.8% |
| 1913 | 48,248 | +9.0% |
| 1914 | 36,798 | -23.7% |
| 1915 | 36,665 | -0.4% |
| 1916 | 33,842 | -7.7% |
| 1917 | 18,648 | -44.9% |
| 1918 | 43,448 | +133.0% |
| 1919 | 92,565 | +113.0% |
| 1920 | 50,251 | -45.7% |
| 1921 | 39,437 | -21.5% |
| 1922 | 45,673 | +15.8% |
| 1923 | 42,119 | -7.8% |
| 1924 | 31,700 | -24.7% |
| 1925 | 33,717 | +6.4% |
| 1926 | 33,851 | +0.4% |
| 1927 | 34,265 | +1.2% |
| 1928 | 37,268 | +8.8% |
| 1929 | 37,956 | +1.8% |
| 1930 | 40,798 | +7.5% |
| 1931 | 39,436 | -3.3% |
| 1932 | 42,733 | +8.4% |
| 1933 | 45,270 | +5.9% |
| 1934 | 56,198 | +24.1% |
| 1935 | 56,029 | -0.3% |
| 1936 | 53,435 | -4.6% |
| 1937 | 52,268 | -2.2% |
| 1938 | 57,647 | +10.3% |
| 1939 | 58,230 | +1.0% |
| 1940 | 48,454 | -16.8% |
| 1941 | 55,874 | +15.3% |
| 1942 | 99,198 | +77.5% |
| 1943 | 108,410 | +9.3% |
| 1944 | 98,853 | -8.8% |
| 1945 | 69,969 | -29.2% |
| 1946 | 174,771 | +149.8% |
| 1947 | 112,870 | -35.4% |
| 1948 | 88,787 | -21.3% |
| 1949 | 90,853 | +2.3% |
| 1950 | 100,156 | +10.2% |
| 1951 | 92,705 | -7.4% |
| 1952 | 127,270 | +37.3% |
| 1953 | 130,607 | +2.6% |
| 1954 | 126,972 | -2.8% |
| 1955 | 125,793 | -0.9% |
| 1956 | 146,777 | +16.7% |
| 1957 | 145,775 | -0.7% |
| 1958 | 168,990 | +15.9% |
| 1959 | 162,569 | -3.8% |
| 1960 | 153,723 | -5.4% |
| 1961 | 168,466 | +9.6% |
| 1962 | 137,894 | -18.1% |
| 1963 | 134,497 | -2.5% |
| 1964 | 147,241 | +9.5% |
| 1965 | 149,565 | +1.6% |
| 1966 | 150,149 | +0.4% |
| 1967 | 154,470 | +2.9% |
| 1968 | 146,433 | -5.2% |
| 1969 | 145,946 | -0.3% |
| 1970 | 152,925 | +4.8% |
| 1971 | 157,507 | +3.0% |
| 1972 | 183,399 | +16.4% |
| 1973 | 183,545 | +0.1% |
| 1974 | 172,098 | -6.2% |
| 1975 | 173,868 | +1.0% |
| 1976 | 172,013 | -1.1% |
| 1977 | 177,060 | +2.9% |
| 1978 | 175,621 | -0.8% |
| 1979 | 187,113 | +6.5% |
| 1980 | 190,143 | +1.6% |
| 1981 | 198,354 | +4.3% |
| 1982 | 225,147 | +13.5% |
| 1983 | 224,869 | -0.1% |
| 1984 | 242,818 | +8.0% |
| 1985 | 263,486 | +8.5% |
| 1986 | 268,149 | +1.8% |
| 1987 | 262,048 | -2.3% |
| 1988 | 263,219 | +0.4% |
| 1989 | 266,485 | +1.2% |
| 1990 | 262,008 | -1.7% |
| 1991 | 241,661 | -7.8% |
| 1992 | 286,414 | +18.5% |
| 1993 | 291,305 | +1.7% |
| 1994 | 309,096 | +6.1% |
| 1995 | 307,530 | -0.5% |
| 1996 | 295,972 | -3.8% |
| 1997 | 307,555 | +3.9% |
| 1998 | 318,860 | +3.7% |
| 1999 | 322,493 | +1.1% |
| 2000 | 362,370 | +12.4% |
| 2001 | 393,370 | +8.6% |
| 2002 | 376,440 | -4.3% |
| 2003 | 444,869 | +18.2% |
| 2004 | 456,281 | +2.6% |
| 2005 | 470,007 | +3.0% |
| 2006 | 473,214 | +0.7% |
| 2007 | 504,190 | +6.5% |
| 2008 | 518,411 | +2.8% |
| 2009 | 512,658 | -1.1% |
| 2010 | 529,673 | +3.3% |
| 2011 | 539,657 | +1.9% |
| 2012 | 495,300 | -8.2% |
| 2013 | 492,182 | -0.6% |
| 2014 | 477,584 | -3.0% |
| 2015 | 511,207 | +7.0% |
| 2016 | 535,771 | +4.8% |
| 2017 | 572,040 | +6.8% |
| 2018 | 622,055 | +8.7% |
| 2019 | 660,018 | +6.1% |
| 2020 | 727,842 | +10.3% |
| 2021 | 717,380 | -1.4% |
| 2022 | 762,321 | +6.3% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 762,321 is above the median for high income countries, which is 182,526, 4.2× the median. (54 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Military spending per military personnel in United States 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1866 | +1106.1% | 2,456 | 29,622 |
| 1946 | +149.8% | 69,969 | 174,771 |
| 1918 | +133.0% | 18,648 | 43,448 |
| 1899 | +116.8% | 27,477 | 59,567 |
| 1919 | +113.0% | 43,448 | 92,565 |
| 1849 | +106.2% | 14,898 | 30,719 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1810s | 12,978 | 12,217 | 14,869 | 4 |
| 1820s | 13,918 | 9,762 | 17,411 | 10 |
| 1830s | 18,856 | 14,337 | 22,216 | 10 |
| 1840s | 19,289 | 14,154 | 32,693 | 10 |
| 1850s | 31,185 | 29,291 | 35,015 | 10 |
| 1860s | 28,268 | 2,456 | 47,412 | 10 |
| 1870s | 33,270 | 29,695 | 35,852 | 10 |
| 1880s | 34,641 | 31,824 | 40,517 | 10 |
| 1890s | 52,320 | 27,477 | 69,054 | 10 |
| 1900s | 50,959 | 44,127 | 58,983 | 10 |
| 1910s | 44,992 | 18,648 | 92,565 | 10 |
| 1920s | 38,624 | 31,700 | 50,251 | 10 |
| 1930s | 50,204 | 39,436 | 58,230 | 10 |
| 1940s | 94,804 | 48,454 | 174,771 | 10 |
| 1950s | 132,761 | 92,705 | 168,990 | 10 |
| 1960s | 148,838 | 134,497 | 168,466 | 10 |
| 1970s | 173,515 | 152,925 | 187,113 | 10 |
| 1980s | 240,472 | 190,143 | 268,149 | 10 |
| 1990s | 294,289 | 241,661 | 322,493 | 10 |
| 2000s | 451,181 | 362,370 | 518,411 | 10 |
| 2010s | 543,549 | 477,584 | 660,018 | 10 |
| 2020s | 735,848 | 717,380 | 762,321 | 3 |
Countries ranked near United States
More reference data data for United States
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 19.34 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 24.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 119.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 20.7 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 119.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 64.85 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 52.14 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 133.45 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 589.96 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 112.69 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military spending per military personnel in United States?
- Military spending per military personnel in United States was 762,321 in 2022, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest military spending per military personnel recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 762,321 in 2022.
- What is the lowest military spending per military personnel recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 2,456 in 1865.
- How does United States rank for military spending per military personnel?
- United States ranks 2nd out of 170 countries with data for 2022.
- Is military spending per military personnel rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 53.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from 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 — 207 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).