South Africa Military Spending/Defense Budget 1960-2024
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).
- South Africa military spending/defense budget for 2021 was $3.27B, a 1.07% increase from 2020.
- South Africa military spending/defense budget for 2020 was $3.23B, a 5.95% decline from 2019.
- South Africa military spending/defense budget for 2019 was $3.44B, a 5.18% decline from 2018.
- South Africa military spending/defense budget for 2018 was $3.62B, a 0.87% increase from 2017.
| South Africa Military Spending/Defense Budget - Historical Data |
| Year |
Billions of US $ |
% of GDP |
| 2021 |
$3.27B |
0.90% |
| 2020 |
$3.23B |
1.10% |
| 2019 |
$3.44B |
0.98% |
| 2018 |
$3.62B |
0.99% |
| 2017 |
$3.59B |
1.03% |
| 2016 |
$3.14B |
1.07% |
| 2015 |
$3.49B |
1.10% |
| 2014 |
$3.89B |
1.11% |
| 2013 |
$4.12B |
1.12% |
| 2012 |
$4.49B |
1.13% |
| 2011 |
$4.59B |
1.10% |
| 2010 |
$4.19B |
1.12% |
| 2009 |
$3.59B |
1.21% |
| 2008 |
$3.29B |
1.15% |
| 2007 |
$3.53B |
1.18% |
| 2006 |
$3.51B |
1.29% |
| 2005 |
$3.57B |
1.38% |
| 2004 |
$3.10B |
1.36% |
| 2003 |
$2.57B |
1.47% |
| 2002 |
$1.77B |
1.53% |
| 2001 |
$1.80B |
1.48% |
| 2000 |
$1.89B |
1.39% |
| 1999 |
$1.74B |
1.27% |
| 1998 |
$1.91B |
1.38% |
| 1997 |
$2.41B |
1.58% |
| 1996 |
$2.59B |
1.76% |
| 1995 |
$3.29B |
2.12% |
| 1994 |
$3.48B |
2.56% |
| 1993 |
$3.25B |
2.50% |
| 1992 |
$3.68B |
2.82% |
| 1991 |
$3.87B |
3.22% |
| 1990 |
$4.36B |
3.90% |
| 1989 |
$4.18B |
4.36% |
| 1988 |
$4.26B |
4.62% |
| 1987 |
$3.60B |
4.19% |
| 1986 |
$2.50B |
3.82% |
| 1985 |
$2.12B |
3.70% |
| 1984 |
$2.77B |
3.70% |
| 1983 |
$3.05B |
3.60% |
| 1982 |
$2.74B |
3.61% |
| 1981 |
$3.01B |
3.64% |
| 1980 |
$2.66B |
3.30% |
| 1979 |
$2.16B |
3.86% |
| 1978 |
$2.07B |
4.56% |
| 1977 |
$2.07B |
5.26% |
| 1976 |
$1.68B |
4.73% |
| 1975 |
$1.43B |
3.88% |
| 1974 |
$1.10B |
3.09% |
| 1973 |
$0.75B |
2.65% |
| 1972 |
$0.49B |
2.37% |
| 1971 |
$0.49B |
2.46% |
| 1970 |
$0.42B |
2.33% |
| 1969 |
$0.43B |
2.61% |
| 1968 |
$0.40B |
2.76% |
| 1967 |
$0.37B |
2.79% |
| 1966 |
$0.32B |
2.70% |
| 1965 |
$0.29B |
2.63% |
| 1964 |
$0.27B |
2.70% |
| 1963 |
$0.19B |
2.06% |
| 1962 |
$0.19B |
2.25% |
| 1961 |
$0.11B |
1.47% |
| 1960 |
$0.07B |
0.95% |
