Military expenditure (current LCU) in United States
United States: Military expenditure (current LCU) was 954.39 billion current LCU in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
954.39 billion current LCU
Change on year
down 5.0%
World rank
31st
of 168 countries
All-time high
1.00 trillion current LCU
in 2024
All-time low
47.35 billion current LCU
in 1960
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Military expenditure in United States, 1960–2025
Source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Measured in current LCU.
Analysis
The most recent figure for military expenditure in United States is 954.39 billion current LCU, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 5.0% on the previous year and up 50.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military expenditure in United States peaked at 1.00 trillion current LCU in 2024 and was at its lowest, 47.35 billion current LCU, in 1960.
United States ranks 31st of 168 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Military expenditure (current LCU) in United States, year by year
| Year | current LCU | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 47.35 billion current LCU | — |
| 1961 | 49.88 billion current LCU | +5.4% |
| 1962 | 54.65 billion current LCU | +9.6% |
| 1963 | 54.56 billion current LCU | -0.2% |
| 1964 | 53.43 billion current LCU | -2.1% |
| 1965 | 54.56 billion current LCU | +2.1% |
| 1966 | 66.44 billion current LCU | +21.8% |
| 1967 | 78.40 billion current LCU | +18.0% |
| 1968 | 84.33 billion current LCU | +7.6% |
| 1969 | 84.99 billion current LCU | +0.8% |
| 1970 | 83.41 billion current LCU | -1.9% |
| 1971 | 78.24 billion current LCU | -6.2% |
| 1972 | 80.71 billion current LCU | +3.2% |
| 1973 | 81.47 billion current LCU | +0.9% |
| 1974 | 89.28 billion current LCU | +9.6% |
| 1975 | 92.08 billion current LCU | +3.1% |
| 1976 | 94.72 billion current LCU | +2.9% |
| 1977 | 104.67 billion current LCU | +10.5% |
| 1978 | 113.38 billion current LCU | +8.3% |
| 1979 | 126.88 billion current LCU | +11.9% |
| 1980 | 143.69 billion current LCU | +13.2% |
| 1981 | 176.56 billion current LCU | +22.9% |
| 1982 | 221.67 billion current LCU | +25.6% |
| 1983 | 223.43 billion current LCU | +0.8% |
| 1984 | 245.15 billion current LCU | +9.7% |
| 1985 | 272.16 billion current LCU | +11.0% |
| 1986 | 295.55 billion current LCU | +8.6% |
| 1987 | 304.09 billion current LCU | +2.9% |
| 1988 | 309.66 billion current LCU | +1.8% |
| 1989 | 321.87 billion current LCU | +3.9% |
| 1990 | 325.13 billion current LCU | +1.0% |
| 1991 | 299.37 billion current LCU | -7.9% |
| 1992 | 325.03 billion current LCU | +8.6% |
| 1993 | 316.72 billion current LCU | -2.6% |
| 1994 | 308.08 billion current LCU | -2.7% |
| 1995 | 295.85 billion current LCU | -4.0% |
| 1996 | 287.96 billion current LCU | -2.7% |
| 1997 | 293.17 billion current LCU | +1.8% |
| 1998 | 291.00 billion current LCU | -0.7% |
| 1999 | 298.10 billion current LCU | +2.4% |
| 2000 | 320.09 billion current LCU | +7.4% |
| 2001 | 331.81 billion current LCU | +3.7% |
| 2002 | 378.46 billion current LCU | +14.1% |
| 2003 | 440.53 billion current LCU | +16.4% |
| 2004 | 493.00 billion current LCU | +11.9% |
| 2005 | 533.20 billion current LCU | +8.2% |
| 2006 | 558.34 billion current LCU | +4.7% |
| 2007 | 589.59 billion current LCU | +5.6% |
| 2008 | 656.76 billion current LCU | +11.4% |
| 2009 | 705.92 billion current LCU | +7.5% |
| 2010 | 738.00 billion current LCU | +4.5% |
| 2011 | 752.29 billion current LCU | +1.9% |
| 2012 | 725.21 billion current LCU | -3.6% |
| 2013 | 679.23 billion current LCU | -6.3% |
| 2014 | 647.79 billion current LCU | -4.6% |
| 2015 | 633.83 billion current LCU | -2.2% |
| 2016 | 639.86 billion current LCU | +1.0% |
| 2017 | 646.75 billion current LCU | +1.1% |
| 2018 | 682.49 billion current LCU | +5.5% |
| 2019 | 734.34 billion current LCU | +7.6% |
| 2020 | 778.40 billion current LCU | +6.0% |
| 2021 | 806.23 billion current LCU | +3.6% |
| 2022 | 860.69 billion current LCU | +6.8% |
| 2023 | 916.01 billion current LCU | +6.4% |
| 2024 | 1.00 trillion current LCU | +9.7% |
| 2025 | 954.39 billion current LCU | -5.0% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 954.39 billion current LCU is above the median for high income countries, which is 17.84 billion current LCU, 53.5× the median. (54 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 62.86 billion current LCU | 47.35 billion current LCU | 84.99 billion current LCU | 10 |
| 1970s | 94.48 billion current LCU | 78.24 billion current LCU | 126.88 billion current LCU | 10 |
| 1980s | 251.38 billion current LCU | 143.69 billion current LCU | 321.87 billion current LCU | 10 |
| 1990s | 304.04 billion current LCU | 287.96 billion current LCU | 325.13 billion current LCU | 10 |
| 2000s | 500.77 billion current LCU | 320.09 billion current LCU | 705.92 billion current LCU | 10 |
| 2010s | 687.98 billion current LCU | 633.83 billion current LCU | 752.29 billion current LCU | 10 |
| 2020s | 886.77 billion current LCU | 778.40 billion current LCU | 1.00 trillion current LCU | 6 |
Countries ranked near United States
More public sector data for United States
- Democracy, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Chief executive of the government is elected, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- 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 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Arms imports 745.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values (2025)
- Arms imports (SIPRI trend indicator values), per capita 3.56 SIPRI trend indicator values per person (2024)
- Arms imports (SIPRI trend indicator values), per unit of GDP 0 SIPRI trend indicator values per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Arms imports (SIPRI trend indicator values), annual growth rate 52.65 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military expenditure in United States?
- Military expenditure in United States was 954.39 billion current LCU in 2025, according to SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
- What is the highest military expenditure recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 1.00 trillion current LCU in 2024.
- What is the lowest military expenditure recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 47.35 billion current LCU in 1960.
- How does United States rank for military expenditure?
- United States ranks 31st out of 168 countries with data for 2025.
- Is military expenditure rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 50.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States 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)