Military expenditure (current USD) in China
China: Military expenditure was 313.66 billion current USD in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
313.66 billion current USD
Change on year
up 5.7%
World rank
2nd
of 168 countries
All-time high
313.66 billion current USD
in 2024
All-time low
9.80 billion current USD
in 1991
Years of data
36
1989–2024
Military expenditure in China, 1989–2024
Source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Measured in current USD.
Analysis
China recorded 313.66 billion current USD for military expenditure in 2024. That is the highest value across all 36 years on record.
The figure is up 5.7% on the previous year and up 72.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military expenditure in China peaked at 313.66 billion current USD in 2024 and was at its lowest, 9.80 billion current USD, in 1991.
China ranks 2nd of 168 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Military expenditure in China, year by year
| Year | current USD | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 11.25 billion current USD | — |
| 1990 | 9.93 billion current USD | -11.8% |
| 1991 | 9.80 billion current USD | -1.2% |
| 1992 | 12.24 billion current USD | +24.9% |
| 1993 | 12.36 billion current USD | +0.9% |
| 1994 | 9.87 billion current USD | -20.2% |
| 1995 | 12.39 billion current USD | +25.5% |
| 1996 | 14.28 billion current USD | +15.3% |
| 1997 | 15.70 billion current USD | +10.0% |
| 1998 | 17.03 billion current USD | +8.5% |
| 1999 | 20.47 billion current USD | +20.2% |
| 2000 | 22.24 billion current USD | +8.6% |
| 2001 | 26.56 billion current USD | +19.4% |
| 2002 | 30.28 billion current USD | +14.0% |
| 2003 | 33.14 billion current USD | +9.4% |
| 2004 | 37.90 billion current USD | +14.4% |
| 2005 | 42.79 billion current USD | +12.9% |
| 2006 | 51.45 billion current USD | +20.2% |
| 2007 | 62.14 billion current USD | +20.8% |
| 2008 | 78.84 billion current USD | +26.9% |
| 2009 | 96.60 billion current USD | +22.5% |
| 2010 | 105.52 billion current USD | +9.2% |
| 2011 | 125.29 billion current USD | +18.7% |
| 2012 | 145.13 billion current USD | +15.8% |
| 2013 | 164.07 billion current USD | +13.1% |
| 2014 | 182.11 billion current USD | +11.0% |
| 2015 | 196.54 billion current USD | +7.9% |
| 2016 | 198.54 billion current USD | +1.0% |
| 2017 | 210.44 billion current USD | +6.0% |
| 2018 | 232.53 billion current USD | +10.5% |
| 2019 | 240.33 billion current USD | +3.4% |
| 2020 | 257.97 billion current USD | +7.3% |
| 2021 | 285.93 billion current USD | +10.8% |
| 2022 | 291.96 billion current USD | +2.1% |
| 2023 | 296.82 billion current USD | +1.7% |
| 2024 | 313.66 billion current USD | +5.7% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 313.66 billion current USD is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1.38 billion current USD, 228.0× the median. (48 countries reporting)
- China's 313.66 billion current USD is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 4.66 billion current USD, 67.3× the median. (20 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 11.25 billion current USD | 11.25 billion current USD | 11.25 billion current USD | 1 |
| 1990s | 13.41 billion current USD | 9.80 billion current USD | 20.47 billion current USD | 10 |
| 2000s | 48.20 billion current USD | 22.24 billion current USD | 96.60 billion current USD | 10 |
| 2010s | 180.05 billion current USD | 105.52 billion current USD | 240.33 billion current USD | 10 |
| 2020s | 289.27 billion current USD | 257.97 billion current USD | 313.66 billion current USD | 5 |
Countries ranked near China
More public sector data for China
- Democracy, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (1949)
- Chief executive of the government is elected, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (1949)
- 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)
- Competitive elections 0 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military expenditure in China?
- Military expenditure in China was 313.66 billion current USD in 2024, according to SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
- What is the highest military expenditure recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 313.66 billion current USD in 2024.
- What is the lowest military expenditure recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.80 billion current USD in 1991.
- How does China rank for military expenditure?
- China ranks 2nd out of 168 countries with data for 2024.
- Is military expenditure rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 72.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China 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)