U.K. Military Spending/Defense Budget 1960-2021
Military expenditures data from SIPRI are derived from the NATO definition, which includes all current and capital expenditures on the armed forces, including peacekeeping forces; defense ministries and other government agencies engaged in defense projects; paramilitary forces, if these are judged to be trained and equipped for military operations; and military space activities. Such expenditures include military and civil personnel, including retirement pensions of military personnel and social services for personnel; operation and maintenance; procurement; military research and development; and military aid (in the military expenditures of the donor country).
- U.K. military spending/defense budget for 2019 was $48.65B, a 2.49% decline from 2018.
- U.K. military spending/defense budget for 2018 was $49.89B, a 7.45% increase from 2017.
- U.K. military spending/defense budget for 2017 was $46.43B, a 3.5% decline from 2016.
- U.K. military spending/defense budget for 2016 was $48.12B, a 10.66% decline from 2015.
| U.K. Military Spending/Defense Budget - Historical Data |
| Year |
Billions of US $ |
% of GDP |
| 2019 |
$48.65B |
1.74% |
| 2018 |
$49.89B |
1.77% |
| 2017 |
$46.43B |
1.77% |
| 2016 |
$48.12B |
1.81% |
| 2015 |
$53.86B |
1.86% |
| 2014 |
$59.18B |
1.95% |
| 2013 |
$56.86B |
2.07% |
| 2012 |
$58.50B |
2.19% |
| 2011 |
$60.27B |
2.29% |
| 2010 |
$58.08B |
2.37% |
| 2009 |
$57.91B |
2.42% |
| 2008 |
$65.62B |
2.26% |
| 2007 |
$65.99B |
2.14% |
| 2006 |
$57.48B |
2.13% |
| 2005 |
$55.15B |
2.18% |
| 2004 |
$53.97B |
2.25% |
| 2003 |
$46.94B |
2.30% |
| 2002 |
$39.66B |
2.24% |
| 2001 |
$35.33B |
2.17% |
| 2000 |
$35.25B |
2.14% |
| 1999 |
$36.45B |
2.18% |
| 1998 |
$36.87B |
2.25% |
| 1997 |
$35.67B |
2.30% |
| 1996 |
$34.49B |
2.45% |
| 1995 |
$34.25B |
2.56% |
| 1994 |
$34.49B |
3.02% |
| 1993 |
$34.09B |
3.21% |
| 1992 |
$40.77B |
3.46% |
| 1991 |
$42.07B |
3.68% |
| 1990 |
$38.94B |
3.56% |
| 1989 |
$33.50B |
3.61% |
| 1988 |
$34.30B |
3.77% |
| 1987 |
$31.23B |
4.19% |
| 1986 |
$27.22B |
4.53% |
| 1985 |
$23.28B |
4.76% |
| 1984 |
$22.73B |
4.93% |
| 1983 |
$23.63B |
4.83% |
| 1982 |
$24.79B |
4.81% |
| 1981 |
$24.10B |
4.46% |
| 1980 |
$25.36B |
4.49% |
| 1979 |
$18.37B |
4.19% |
| 1978 |
$14.22B |
4.23% |
| 1977 |
$11.58B |
4.40% |
| 1976 |
$10.77B |
4.63% |
| 1975 |
$11.54B |
4.78% |
| 1974 |
$9.35B |
4.53% |
| 1973 |
$8.45B |
4.39% |
| 1972 |
$7.86B |
4.62% |
| 1971 |
$6.72B |
4.54% |
| 1970 |
$6.07B |
4.65% |
| 1969 |
$5.54B |
4.92% |
| 1968 |
$5.56B |
5.31% |
| 1967 |
$6.20B |
5.58% |
| 1966 |
$5.98B |
5.59% |
| 1965 |
$5.79B |
5.76% |
| 1964 |
$5.51B |
5.90% |
| 1963 |
$5.20B |
6.08% |
| 1962 |
$5.01B |
6.21% |
| 1961 |
$4.75B |
6.19% |
| 1960 |
$4.59B |
6.34% |
