Military expenditure (current USD) in Malaysia
Malaysia: Military expenditure was 4.31 billion current USD in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
4.31 billion current USD
Change on year
up 9.9%
World rank
51st
of 168 countries
All-time high
4.92 billion current USD
in 2014
All-time low
42.47 million current USD
in 1961
Years of data
65
1960–2024
Military expenditure in Malaysia, 1960–2024
Source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Measured in current USD.
Analysis
In 2024, military expenditure in Malaysia stood at 4.31 billion current USD.
The figure is up 9.9% on the previous year and down 12.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military expenditure in Malaysia peaked at 4.92 billion current USD in 2014 and was at its lowest, 42.47 million current USD, in 1961.
Malaysia ranks 51st 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 Malaysia, year by year
| Year | current USD | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 51.29 million current USD | — |
| 1961 | 42.47 million current USD | -17.2% |
| 1962 | 43.77 million current USD | +3.1% |
| 1963 | 60.76 million current USD | +38.8% |
| 1964 | 84.61 million current USD | +39.2% |
| 1965 | 118.58 million current USD | +40.2% |
| 1966 | 148.63 million current USD | +25.3% |
| 1967 | 143.41 million current USD | -3.5% |
| 1968 | 148.31 million current USD | +3.4% |
| 1969 | 143.73 million current USD | -3.1% |
| 1970 | 199.59 million current USD | +38.9% |
| 1971 | 228.03 million current USD | +14.2% |
| 1972 | 251.10 million current USD | +10.1% |
| 1973 | 296.73 million current USD | +18.2% |
| 1974 | 397.16 million current USD | +33.8% |
| 1975 | 440.73 million current USD | +11.0% |
| 1976 | 439.89 million current USD | -0.2% |
| 1977 | 637.88 million current USD | +45.0% |
| 1978 | 607.07 million current USD | -4.8% |
| 1979 | 778.64 million current USD | +28.3% |
| 1980 | 1.04 billion current USD | +33.0% |
| 1981 | 1.45 billion current USD | +39.6% |
| 1982 | 1.44 billion current USD | -0.6% |
| 1983 | 1.34 billion current USD | -6.7% |
| 1984 | 1.27 billion current USD | -5.1% |
| 1985 | 1.08 billion current USD | -15.4% |
| 1986 | 894.08 million current USD | -17.0% |
| 1987 | 1.33 billion current USD | +49.3% |
| 1988 | 855.74 million current USD | -35.9% |
| 1989 | 1.02 billion current USD | +19.1% |
| 1990 | 1.13 billion current USD | +10.4% |
| 1991 | 1.57 billion current USD | +39.7% |
| 1992 | 1.77 billion current USD | +12.4% |
| 1993 | 1.92 billion current USD | +8.9% |
| 1994 | 2.12 billion current USD | +10.3% |
| 1995 | 2.44 billion current USD | +15.3% |
| 1996 | 2.42 billion current USD | -0.9% |
| 1997 | 2.09 billion current USD | -13.7% |
| 1998 | 1.16 billion current USD | -44.5% |
| 1999 | 1.66 billion current USD | +43.6% |
| 2000 | 1.53 billion current USD | -7.8% |
| 2001 | 1.93 billion current USD | +26.2% |
| 2002 | 2.24 billion current USD | +15.7% |
| 2003 | 2.88 billion current USD | +28.8% |
| 2004 | 2.82 billion current USD | -2.0% |
| 2005 | 3.12 billion current USD | +10.5% |
| 2006 | 3.27 billion current USD | +4.7% |
| 2007 | 3.97 billion current USD | +21.6% |
| 2008 | 4.41 billion current USD | +11.1% |
| 2009 | 3.96 billion current USD | -10.1% |
| 2010 | 3.85 billion current USD | -2.8% |
| 2011 | 4.69 billion current USD | +21.7% |
| 2012 | 4.51 billion current USD | -3.9% |
| 2013 | 4.92 billion current USD | +9.1% |
| 2014 | 4.92 billion current USD | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 4.53 billion current USD | -7.9% |
| 2016 | 4.17 billion current USD | -8.0% |
| 2017 | 3.49 billion current USD | -16.2% |
| 2018 | 3.45 billion current USD | -1.4% |
| 2019 | 3.27 billion current USD | -5.2% |
| 2020 | 3.37 billion current USD | +3.3% |
| 2021 | 3.68 billion current USD | +8.9% |
| 2022 | 3.67 billion current USD | -0.0% |
| 2023 | 3.93 billion current USD | +6.8% |
| 2024 | 4.31 billion current USD | +9.9% |
Malaysia compared with similar countries
- Malaysia's 4.31 billion current USD is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1.38 billion current USD, 3.1× the median. (48 countries reporting)
- Malaysia's 4.31 billion current USD is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 4.66 billion current USD, 93% of the median. (20 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 98.56 million current USD | 42.47 million current USD | 148.63 million current USD | 10 |
| 1970s | 427.68 million current USD | 199.59 million current USD | 778.64 million current USD | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.17 billion current USD | 855.74 million current USD | 1.45 billion current USD | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.83 billion current USD | 1.13 billion current USD | 2.44 billion current USD | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.01 billion current USD | 1.53 billion current USD | 4.41 billion current USD | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.18 billion current USD | 3.27 billion current USD | 4.92 billion current USD | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.79 billion current USD | 3.37 billion current USD | 4.31 billion current USD | 5 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
More public sector data for Malaysia
- 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)
- Universal right to vote in practice, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- 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 6 (2025)
- Chief executive of the government is elected 1 (2025)
- Elected parliament 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military expenditure in Malaysia?
- Military expenditure in Malaysia was 4.31 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 Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 4.92 billion current USD in 2014.
- What is the lowest military expenditure recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 42.47 million current USD in 1961.
- How does Malaysia rank for military expenditure?
- Malaysia ranks 51st out of 168 countries with data for 2024.
- Is military expenditure rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malaysia 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)