Military expenditure (current USD)

This indicator reflects comprehensive financial commitments directed towards national defense, encapsulating both ongoing and capital investments in armed forces and associated entities. It encompasses expenditures on conventional military operations, peacekeeping initiatives, and support for defense ministries and agencies involved in security projects. The scope extends to cover personnel costs, including salaries, retirement pensions, and welfare services associated with military staff, while also incorporating expenses for operation and maintenance, procurement, and research and development. Notably, the definition varies across countries due to the lack of standardized reporting, which can lead to significant disparities in understanding military budgets—particularly regarding auxiliary forces, pension schemes, and outlays for civil defense and previous military activities. Consequently, discerning a nation’s true military financial landscape requires nuanced analysis of both explicit and implicit spending elements. Source: