Military spending, per square kilometre in China
China: Military spending, per square kilometre was 37,225 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
37,225 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre
Change on year
up 3.4%
World rank
39th
of 171 countries
All-time high
37,225 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre
in 2023
All-time low
3,851 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre
in 1990
Years of data
63
1961–2023
Military spending, per square kilometre in China, 1961–2023
Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre.
Analysis
In 2023, military spending, per square kilometre in China stood at 37,225 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre. That is the highest value across all 63 years on record.
That represents a change of up 3.4% on the previous year and up 139.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military spending, per square kilometre in China peaked at 37,225 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre in 2023 and was at its lowest, 3,851 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre, in 1990.
That places China 39th out of 171 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, per square kilometre in China, year by year
| Year | constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 5,011 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | — |
| 1962 | 5,750 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +14.8% |
| 1963 | 5,982 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +4.0% |
| 1964 | 6,737 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +12.6% |
| 1965 | 7,618 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +13.1% |
| 1966 | 8,178 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +7.4% |
| 1967 | 8,473 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +3.6% |
| 1968 | 8,900 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +5.0% |
| 1969 | 9,920 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +11.5% |
| 1970 | 10,957 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +10.5% |
| 1971 | 12,530 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +14.4% |
| 1972 | 11,852 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -5.4% |
| 1973 | 10,935 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -7.7% |
| 1974 | 11,851 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +8.4% |
| 1975 | 11,214 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -5.4% |
| 1976 | 11,512 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +2.7% |
| 1977 | 11,147 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -3.2% |
| 1978 | 11,248 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +0.9% |
| 1979 | 10,122 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -10.0% |
| 1980 | 9,461 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -6.5% |
| 1981 | 5,935 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -37.3% |
| 1982 | 6,227 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +4.9% |
| 1983 | 6,498 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +4.4% |
| 1984 | 4,594 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -29.3% |
| 1985 | 4,398 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -4.3% |
| 1986 | 3,971 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -9.7% |
| 1987 | 3,879 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -2.3% |
| 1988 | 4,231 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +9.1% |
| 1989 | 3,926 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -7.2% |
| 1990 | 3,851 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -1.9% |
| 1991 | 4,390 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +14.0% |
| 1992 | 4,857 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +10.6% |
| 1993 | 4,579 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -5.7% |
| 1994 | 4,045 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -11.7% |
| 1995 | 4,062 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +0.4% |
| 1996 | 4,412 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +8.6% |
| 1997 | 4,599 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +4.2% |
| 1998 | 4,804 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +4.5% |
| 1999 | 5,237 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +9.0% |
| 2000 | 5,628 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +7.5% |
| 2001 | 6,533 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +16.1% |
| 2002 | 8,440 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +29.2% |
| 2003 | 9,018 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +6.8% |
| 2004 | 9,673 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +7.3% |
| 2005 | 7,842 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -18.9% |
| 2006 | 7,393 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -5.7% |
| 2007 | 7,601 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +2.8% |
| 2008 | 8,555 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +12.6% |
| 2009 | 10,126 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +18.4% |
| 2010 | 10,463 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +3.3% |
| 2011 | 12,598 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +20.4% |
| 2012 | 13,625 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +8.1% |
| 2013 | 15,543 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +14.1% |
| 2014 | 17,196 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +10.6% |
| 2015 | 18,596 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +8.1% |
| 2016 | 19,141 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +2.9% |
| 2017 | 22,273 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +16.4% |
| 2018 | 24,208 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +8.7% |
| 2019 | 28,624 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +18.2% |
| 2020 | 30,502 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +6.6% |
| 2021 | 33,565 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +10.0% |
| 2022 | 35,998 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +7.2% |
| 2023 | 37,225 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +3.4% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 37,225 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 6,982 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre, 5.3× the median. (49 countries reporting)
- China's 37,225 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 13,365 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre, 2.8× the median. (20 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 7,397 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 5,011 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 9,920 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 9 |
| 1970s | 11,337 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 10,122 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 12,530 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 10 |
| 1980s | 5,312 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 3,879 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 9,461 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 10 |
| 1990s | 4,484 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 3,851 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 5,237 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 10 |
| 2000s | 8,081 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 5,628 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 10,126 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 10 |
| 2010s | 18,227 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 10,463 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 28,624 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 10 |
| 2020s | 34,322 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 30,502 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 37,225 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 4 |
Countries ranked near China
- 36 Armenia 42,072 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre compare
- 37 Saudi Arabia 41,099 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre compare
- 38 Bangladesh 41,054 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre compare
- 40 Lithuania 34,666 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre compare
- 41 Jordan 32,210 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre compare
- 42 India 32,053 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre compare
More reference data data for China
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 49.4 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 75.5 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 303.29 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 18.8 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 303.29 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 165.62 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 206.2 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 350.74 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1,480 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 102.37 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military spending, per square kilometre in China?
- Military spending, per square kilometre in China was 37,225 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre in 2023, according to Statizoid (derived).
- What is the highest military spending, per square kilometre recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 37,225 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre in 2023.
- What is the lowest military spending, per square kilometre recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,851 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre in 1990.
- How does China rank for military spending, per square kilometre?
- China ranks 39th out of 171 countries with data for 2023.
- Is military spending, per square kilometre rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 139.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Military spending, per square kilometre. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 63 observations, free to reuse under Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page.
How this figure is calculated
Military spending divided by Land area (sq. km), matched on country and year. Neither publisher issues this ratio as a series; it is computed here from both.
Military spending ÷ Land area (sq. km)
Computed from
- Military spending Barnum et al. – Global Military Spending Dataset (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data
- Land area FAOSTAT, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.
About this data
Military spending divided by Land area (sq. km), matched on country and year. Neither publisher issues this ratio as a series; it is computed here from both.