Military expenditure (% of general government expenditure)

This indicator reflects the proportion of government spending allocated to military functions, derived from comprehensive data provided by SIPRI under NATO's guidelines. It encompasses a broad range of financial commitments, including funding for active military forces, defense agencies, and associated peacekeeping operations, alongside capital investments in military infrastructure and technology. Notably, the metric also accounts for personnel costs, operational maintenance, and research and development activities, while excluding expenditures related to civil defense and past military activities. However, variations in national military budgets and the opaque nature of some off-budget military expenditures necessitate careful interpretation, as definitions and inclusions may differ significantly across countries, potentially affecting comparability. Understanding these nuances is crucial for analyzing defense spending's impact on overall government expenditure and national priorities. Source: