Military expenditure (current USD) in Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Military expenditure was 278.25 million current USD in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Military expenditure in Afghanistan, 1970–2021
Source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Measured in current USD.
Analysis
In 2021, military expenditure in Afghanistan stood at 278.25 million current USD.
That represents a change of down 0.5% on the previous year and down 14.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military expenditure in Afghanistan peaked at 325.81 million current USD in 2011 and was at its lowest, 2.94 million current USD, in 1970.
Afghanistan ranks 120th 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 in Afghanistan, year by year
| Year | current USD | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.94 million current USD | — |
| 1973 | 3.34 million current USD | +13.7% |
| 1974 | 3.58 million current USD | +7.2% |
| 1975 | 4.20 million current USD | +17.4% |
| 1976 | 5.39 million current USD | +28.3% |
| 1977 | 6.13 million current USD | +13.6% |
| 2004 | 125.11 million current USD | +1941.9% |
| 2005 | 122.73 million current USD | -1.9% |
| 2006 | 131.35 million current USD | +7.0% |
| 2007 | 219.58 million current USD | +67.2% |
| 2008 | 240.53 million current USD | +9.5% |
| 2009 | 251.87 million current USD | +4.7% |
| 2010 | 298.15 million current USD | +18.4% |
| 2011 | 325.81 million current USD | +9.3% |
| 2012 | 238.58 million current USD | -26.8% |
| 2013 | 217.19 million current USD | -9.0% |
| 2014 | 268.24 million current USD | +23.5% |
| 2015 | 199.52 million current USD | -25.6% |
| 2016 | 185.88 million current USD | -6.8% |
| 2017 | 191.41 million current USD | +3.0% |
| 2018 | 198.07 million current USD | +3.5% |
| 2019 | 226.31 million current USD | +14.3% |
| 2020 | 279.58 million current USD | +23.5% |
| 2021 | 278.25 million current USD | -0.5% |
Afghanistan compared with similar countries
- Afghanistan's 278.25 million current USD is below the median for low income countries, which is 375.21 million current USD, 74% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Afghanistan's 278.25 million current USD is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 4.04 billion current USD, 7% of the median. (22 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Military expenditure in Afghanistan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | +1941.9% | 6.13 million current USD | 125.11 million current USD |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 4.26 million current USD | 2.94 million current USD | 6.13 million current USD | 6 |
| 2000s | 181.86 million current USD | 122.73 million current USD | 251.87 million current USD | 6 |
| 2010s | 234.92 million current USD | 185.88 million current USD | 325.81 million current USD | 10 |
| 2020s | 278.91 million current USD | 278.25 million current USD | 279.58 million current USD | 2 |
Countries ranked near Afghanistan
More public sector data for Afghanistan
- Democracy, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (2021)
- Chief executive of the government is elected, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (2021)
- Universal right to vote in practice, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (2021)
- Elected parliament, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (2021)
- Universal right to vote, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Democracy 0 (2025)
- Chief executive of the government is elected 0 (2025)
- Elected parliament 0 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military expenditure in Afghanistan?
- Military expenditure in Afghanistan was 278.25 million current USD in 2021, according to SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
- What is the highest military expenditure recorded in Afghanistan?
- The highest recorded value was 325.81 million current USD in 2011.
- What is the lowest military expenditure recorded in Afghanistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.94 million current USD in 1970.
- How does Afghanistan rank for military expenditure?
- Afghanistan ranks 120th out of 168 countries with data for 2021.
- Is military expenditure rising or falling in Afghanistan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 14.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Afghanistan data come from?
- The figures come from SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), published as part of Military expenditure (current USD). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Military spending USD, in current prices (converted at the exchange rate for the given year)