Military expenditure (current USD) in North Korea
North Korea: Military expenditure was 1.60 billion current USD in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Military expenditure in North Korea, 1986–2018
Source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Measured in current USD.
Analysis
In 2018, military expenditure in North Korea stood at 1.60 billion current USD. That is the highest value across all 31 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 66.9% on the previous year.
Over the whole period, military expenditure in North Korea peaked at 1.60 billion current USD in 2018 and was at its lowest, 0 current USD, in 1986.
North Korea ranks 70th 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 North Korea, year by year
| Year | current USD | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 0 current USD | — |
| 1987 | 0 current USD | — |
| 1988 | 0 current USD | — |
| 1989 | 0 current USD | — |
| 1990 | 0 current USD | — |
| 1991 | 0 current USD | — |
| 1992 | 0 current USD | — |
| 1993 | 0 current USD | — |
| 1994 | 0 current USD | — |
| 1996 | 0 current USD | — |
| 1998 | 0 current USD | — |
| 1999 | 0 current USD | — |
| 2000 | 0 current USD | — |
| 2001 | 0 current USD | — |
| 2002 | 0 current USD | — |
| 2003 | 0 current USD | — |
| 2004 | 0 current USD | — |
| 2005 | 0 current USD | — |
| 2006 | 0 current USD | — |
| 2007 | 0 current USD | — |
| 2008 | 0 current USD | — |
| 2009 | 0 current USD | — |
| 2010 | 0 current USD | — |
| 2011 | 0 current USD | — |
| 2012 | 0 current USD | — |
| 2013 | 0 current USD | — |
| 2014 | 0 current USD | — |
| 2015 | 869.63 million current USD | — |
| 2016 | 912.59 million current USD | +4.9% |
| 2017 | 961.48 million current USD | +5.4% |
| 2018 | 1.60 billion current USD | +66.9% |
North Korea compared with similar countries
- North Korea's 1.60 billion current USD is above the median for low income countries, which is 375.21 million current USD, 4.3× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- North Korea's 1.60 billion current USD is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 4.66 billion current USD, 34% of the median. (20 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0 current USD | 0 current USD | 0 current USD | 4 |
| 1990s | 0 current USD | 0 current USD | 0 current USD | 8 |
| 2000s | 0 current USD | 0 current USD | 0 current USD | 10 |
| 2010s | 483.13 million current USD | 0 current USD | 1.60 billion current USD | 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)
- Universal right to vote in practice, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (1972)
- Elected parliament, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- 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 1 (2025)
- Chief executive of the government is elected 0 (2025)
- Elected parliament 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military expenditure in North Korea?
- Military expenditure in North Korea was 1.60 billion current USD 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 1.60 billion current USD in 2018.
- What is the lowest military expenditure recorded in North Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 current USD in 1986.
- How does North Korea rank for military expenditure?
- North Korea ranks 70th out of 168 countries with data for 2018.
- 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 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)