Military expenditure in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Military expenditure was 98.39 million current USD in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
98.39 million current USD
Change on year
down 88.7%
World rank
147th
of 168 countries
All-time high
870.43 million current USD
in 2023
All-time low
12.65 million current USD
in 1964
Years of data
57
1964–2024
Military expenditure in Zimbabwe, 1964–2024
Source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Measured in current USD.
Analysis
Zimbabwe recorded 98.39 million current USD for military expenditure in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 88.7% on the previous year and down 73.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military expenditure in Zimbabwe peaked at 870.43 million current USD in 2023 and was at its lowest, 12.65 million current USD, in 1964.
Zimbabwe ranks 147th of 168 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Military expenditure in Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | current USD | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1964 | 12.65 million current USD | — |
| 1965 | 15.60 million current USD | +23.3% |
| 1966 | 16.95 million current USD | +8.7% |
| 1967 | 19.00 million current USD | +12.1% |
| 1968 | 30.60 million current USD | +61.1% |
| 1969 | 42.35 million current USD | +38.4% |
| 1970 | 45.95 million current USD | +8.5% |
| 1971 | 49.85 million current USD | +8.5% |
| 1972 | 58.45 million current USD | +17.3% |
| 1973 | 86.90 million current USD | +48.7% |
| 1974 | 118.55 million current USD | +36.4% |
| 1975 | 148.60 million current USD | +25.3% |
| 1976 | 199.80 million current USD | +34.5% |
| 1977 | 285.35 million current USD | +42.8% |
| 1978 | 347.75 million current USD | +21.9% |
| 1979 | 441.15 million current USD | +26.9% |
| 1980 | 442.75 million current USD | +0.4% |
| 1981 | 389.70 million current USD | -12.0% |
| 1982 | 437.45 million current USD | +12.3% |
| 1983 | 431.75 million current USD | -1.3% |
| 1984 | 360.65 million current USD | -16.5% |
| 1985 | 309.30 million current USD | -14.2% |
| 1986 | 342.20 million current USD | +10.6% |
| 1987 | 392.60 million current USD | +14.7% |
| 1988 | 407.05 million current USD | +3.7% |
| 1989 | 408.60 million current USD | +0.4% |
| 1990 | 416.30 million current USD | +1.9% |
| 1991 | 376.05 million current USD | -9.7% |
| 1992 | 296.35 million current USD | -21.2% |
| 1993 | 249.80 million current USD | -15.7% |
| 1994 | 247.90 million current USD | -0.8% |
| 1995 | 262.90 million current USD | +6.1% |
| 1996 | 291.65 million current USD | +10.9% |
| 1997 | 311.40 million current USD | +6.8% |
| 1999 | 263.40 million current USD | -15.4% |
| 2000 | 346.30 million current USD | +31.5% |
| 2001 | 286.70 million current USD | -17.2% |
| 2002 | 677.00 million current USD | +136.1% |
| 2003 | 194.80 million current USD | -71.2% |
| 2004 | 256.10 million current USD | +31.5% |
| 2005 | 131.40 million current USD | -48.7% |
| 2006 | 161.70 million current USD | +23.1% |
| 2010 | 98.29 million current USD | -39.2% |
| 2011 | 198.44 million current USD | +101.9% |
| 2012 | 318.27 million current USD | +60.4% |
| 2013 | 356.70 million current USD | +12.1% |
| 2014 | 368.10 million current USD | +3.2% |
| 2015 | 376.68 million current USD | +2.3% |
| 2016 | 358.06 million current USD | -4.9% |
| 2017 | 340.52 million current USD | -4.9% |
| 2018 | 420.36 million current USD | +23.4% |
| 2019 | 546.94 million current USD | +30.1% |
| 2020 | 242.18 million current USD | -55.7% |
| 2021 | 473.94 million current USD | +95.7% |
| 2022 | 332.72 million current USD | -29.8% |
| 2023 | 870.43 million current USD | +161.6% |
| 2024 | 98.39 million current USD | -88.7% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 98.39 million current USD is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 493.99 million current USD, 20% of the median. (40 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 98.39 million current USD is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 293.92 million current USD, 33% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 22.86 million current USD | 12.65 million current USD | 42.35 million current USD | 6 |
| 1970s | 178.24 million current USD | 45.95 million current USD | 441.15 million current USD | 10 |
| 1980s | 392.20 million current USD | 309.30 million current USD | 442.75 million current USD | 10 |
| 1990s | 301.75 million current USD | 247.90 million current USD | 416.30 million current USD | 9 |
| 2000s | 293.43 million current USD | 131.40 million current USD | 677.00 million current USD | 7 |
| 2010s | 338.24 million current USD | 98.29 million current USD | 546.94 million current USD | 10 |
| 2020s | 403.53 million current USD | 98.39 million current USD | 870.43 million current USD | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zimbabwe
More public sector data for Zimbabwe
- Democracy, 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)
- Elected parliament, 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)
- Democracy 3 (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 Zimbabwe?
- Military expenditure in Zimbabwe was 98.39 million current USD in 2024, according to SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
- What is the highest military expenditure recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 870.43 million current USD in 2023.
- What is the lowest military expenditure recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.65 million current USD in 1964.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for military expenditure?
- Zimbabwe ranks 147th out of 168 countries with data for 2024.
- Is military expenditure rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is down 73.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zimbabwe 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)