Military expenditure (current LCU) in North Korea
North Korea: Military expenditure (current LCU) was 216.60 billion current LCU in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Military expenditure in North Korea, 1986–2018
Source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Measured in current LCU.
Analysis
The most recent figure for military expenditure in North Korea is 216.60 billion current LCU, measured in 2018. That is the highest value across all 31 years on record.
The figure is up 66.9% on the previous year and up 203.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military expenditure in North Korea peaked at 216.60 billion current LCU in 2018 and was at its lowest, 2.92 billion current LCU, in 1998.
North Korea ranks 54th of 168 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Military expenditure (current LCU) in North Korea, year by year
| Year | current LCU | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 4.04 billion current LCU | — |
| 1987 | 3.97 billion current LCU | -1.8% |
| 1988 | 3.86 billion current LCU | -2.7% |
| 1989 | 4.01 billion current LCU | +3.7% |
| 1990 | 4.26 billion current LCU | +6.4% |
| 1991 | 4.47 billion current LCU | +4.8% |
| 1992 | 4.48 billion current LCU | +0.3% |
| 1993 | 4.63 billion current LCU | +3.3% |
| 1994 | 4.72 billion current LCU | +2.1% |
| 1996 | 3.00 billion current LCU | -36.5% |
| 1998 | 2.92 billion current LCU | -2.6% |
| 1999 | 2.92 billion current LCU | +0.0% |
| 2000 | 3.00 billion current LCU | +2.5% |
| 2001 | 3.22 billion current LCU | +7.5% |
| 2002 | 3.30 billion current LCU | +2.3% |
| 2003 | 50.78 billion current LCU | +1440.2% |
| 2004 | 54.41 billion current LCU | +7.2% |
| 2005 | 64.51 billion current LCU | +18.5% |
| 2006 | 67.08 billion current LCU | +4.0% |
| 2007 | 68.54 billion current LCU | +2.2% |
| 2008 | 71.33 billion current LCU | +4.1% |
| 2009 | 76.25 billion current LCU | +6.9% |
| 2010 | 82.60 billion current LCU | +8.3% |
| 2011 | 89.80 billion current LCU | +8.7% |
| 2012 | 99.10 billion current LCU | +10.4% |
| 2013 | 105.30 billion current LCU | +6.3% |
| 2014 | 111.30 billion current LCU | +5.7% |
| 2015 | 117.40 billion current LCU | +5.5% |
| 2016 | 123.20 billion current LCU | +4.9% |
| 2017 | 129.80 billion current LCU | +5.4% |
| 2018 | 216.60 billion current LCU | +66.9% |
North Korea compared with similar countries
- North Korea's 216.60 billion current LCU is above the median for low income countries, which is 216.60 billion current LCU, 1.0× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- North Korea's 216.60 billion current LCU is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 206.67 billion current LCU, 1.0× the median. (20 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Military expenditure (current LCU) in North Korea 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | +1440.2% | 3.30 billion current LCU | 50.78 billion current LCU |
| 2018 | +66.9% | 129.80 billion current LCU | 216.60 billion current LCU |
| 1996 | -36.5% | 4.72 billion current LCU | 3.00 billion current LCU |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 3.97 billion current LCU | 3.86 billion current LCU | 4.04 billion current LCU | 4 |
| 1990s | 3.93 billion current LCU | 2.92 billion current LCU | 4.72 billion current LCU | 8 |
| 2000s | 46.24 billion current LCU | 3.00 billion current LCU | 76.25 billion current LCU | 10 |
| 2010s | 119.46 billion current LCU | 82.60 billion current LCU | 216.60 billion current LCU | 9 |
Countries ranked near North Korea
More public sector data for North Korea
- Democracy, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Chief executive of the government is elected, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (1972)
- Elected parliament, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Universal right to vote, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Universal right to vote in practice, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (1972)
- Arms imports 1.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values (2010)
- Arms imports (SIPRI trend indicator values), per capita 0.04 SIPRI trend indicator values per person (2010)
- Arms imports (SIPRI trend indicator values), annual growth rate -75 % change on previous year (2010)
- Arms imports (SIPRI trend indicator values), gaps filled 1.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values (2010)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military expenditure in North Korea?
- Military expenditure in North Korea was 216.60 billion current LCU in 2018, according to SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
- What is the highest military expenditure recorded in North Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 216.60 billion current LCU in 2018.
- What is the lowest military expenditure recorded in North Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.92 billion current LCU in 1998.
- How does North Korea rank for military expenditure?
- North Korea ranks 54th out of 168 countries with data for 2018.
- Is military expenditure rising or falling in North Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 203.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this North Korea data come from?
- The figures come from SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), published as part of Military expenditure (current LCU). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Military expenditure in local currency at current prices (by calendar year)