Top 10 countries in terms of highest military budget.

Top 10 countries in terms of highest military budget.

10. Brazil:

> Military expenditure: $36.2 billion
> Expenditure as pct. of GDP: 1.4% (tied, 62nd lowest)
> 1-yr. spending change: -3.9% (26th lowest)
> Total arms imports: $254 million (24th highest)
> Total arms exports: $36 million (12th lowest)

Perhaps due to strong oil revenue, which can help bolster military spending without the need for unpopular tax hikes, Brazil’s military spending, along with many other developing nations, increased dramatically in the 2000s. In recent years, however, Brazil’s military spending has leveled off somewhat, decreasing by nearly 4% last year.

                                             

9. India:

> Military expenditure: $49.1 billion
> Expenditure as pct. of GDP: 2.5% (31st highest)
> 1-yr. spending change: -0.7% (46th lowest)
> Total arms imports: $5.6 billion (the highest)
> Total arms exports: $10 million (10th lowest)

India has been among the world’s foremost arms importers for decades. The country continued to expand and modernize its military in 2013, importing $5.6 billion worth of arms.High military spending was likely due to ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan that threatens the stability and welfare of people in both countries.

                                    

8. Germany:

> Military expenditure: $49.3 billion
> Expenditure as pct. of GDP: 1.4% (tied, 62nd lowest)
> 1-yr. spending change: 0.0% (53rd lowest)
> Total arms imports: $129 million (36th highest)
> Total arms exports: $972 million (6th highest)

Germany’s estimated GDP per capita was more than $40,000 last year. As one of the world’s strongest economies, Germany has the means to maintain a well-supplied military. But while Germany spent among the most in nominal terms, its military expenditure accounted for just 1.4% of its GDP, one of the lower proportions.

7. United Kingdom:

> Military expenditure: $56.2 billion
> Expenditure as pct. of GDP: 2.3% (34th highest)
> 1-yr. spending change: -2.6% (34th lowest)
> Total arms imports: $438 million (15th highest)
> Total arms exports: $1.4 billion (5th highest)

Despite deep cuts to military expenditures after a defense review in 2010, U.K. military spending was still among the highest worldwide. Prime Minister David Cameron began implementing fiscal austerity measures, including military spending cuts, shortly after he took office in mid-2010.Despite the cuts, military expenditure comprised 2.3% of GDP in 2013, one of the higher proportions worldwide.

                                                      

6. Japan:

> Military expenditure: $59.4 billion
> Expenditure as pct. of GDP: 1.0% (31st lowest)
> 1-yr. spending change: -0.2% (52nd lowest)
> Total arms imports: $145 million (34th highest)
> Total arms exports: N/A

A recently ignited territorial dispute with China in the East China Sea pushed Japan to increase its military budget in 2013 for the first time in more than 10 years. While Japan’s 2013 budget called for a 0.8% increase in military spending, total military expenditure remained fixed at 1% of GDP.

                                                    

5. France:

> Military expenditure: $62.3 billion
> Expenditure as pct. of GDP: 2.2% (39th highest)
> 1-yr. spending change: -2.3% (35th lowest)
> Total arms imports: $43 million (55th highest)
> Total arms exports: $1.5 billion (4th highest)

Like much of Western Europe, France’s military expenditure has fallen in recent years. France spent nearly $70 billion in 2009, versus more $62 billion last year. This decrease, however, was relatively small given the country’s weak economic growth and implementation of the austerity measures after the global economic crisis.

4. Saudi Arabia

> Military expenditure: $62.8 billion
> Expenditure as pct. of GDP: 9.3% (2nd highest)
> 1-yr. spending change: 14.3% (16th highest)
> Total arms imports: $1.5 billion (4th highest)
> Total arms exports: N/A

Situated in an increasingly unstable region, Saudi Arabia hiked its military budget by 14.3% in 2013. Saudi neighbors include Iraq and Yemen, which are currently in turmoil. Saudi Arabia has also had historically poor relations with another neighbor, Iran, which could become an even bigger threat if it acquires nuclear capabilities. The large increase in military outlays is likely a direct response to these threats.

                                                       

3. Russia:

> Military expenditure: $84.9 billion
> Expenditure as pct. of GDP: 4.1% (10th highest)
> 1-yr. spending change: 4.8% (48th highest)
> Total arms imports: $148 million (33rd highest)
> Total arms exports: $8.3 billion (the highest)

Russia leads the rest of the world in military exports, with more than $8 billion worth last year, well above the U.S.’s $6.2 billion in exports. While total military spending in Russia remains a fraction of what it was in the late 1980s, it has been on the rise in recent years as a result of Russia’s involvement in various regional conflicts. With the more recent ongoing Crimean crisis, this spending trend may likely continue.

                                                     

2. China :

> Military expenditure: $171.4 billion
> Expenditure as pct. of GDP: 2.0% (45th highest)
> 1-yr. spending change: 7.4% (36th highest)
> Total arms imports: $1.5 billion (3rd highest)
> Total arms exports: $1.8 billion (3rd highest)

Military spending often mirrors economic growth, and this is especially true in China where military spending has increased in each of the past five years roughly in line with economic growth. Military expenditure grew 7.4% last year alone, far more than any other country in the region, and among the larger annual growths worldwide. The value of China’s military exports trails only the U.S. and Russia, at around $1.8 billion last year.

                                                  

1. United States:

> Military expenditure: $618.7 billion
> Expenditure as pct. of GDP: 3.8% (14th highest)
> 1-yr. spending change: -7.8% (12th lowest)
> Total arms imports: $759 million (8th highest)
> Total arms exports: $6.2 billion (2nd highest)

The $619 billion military expenditure in the U.S. nearly outpaced the combined spending of every other country on this list in 2013. At the start of 2013, the U.S. had nearly 8,000 nuclear warheads in reserve. Since 2001, U.S. defense spending has risen from $287 billion to $530 billion. In recent years, however, U.S. military outlays fell from 4.8% of GDP in 2009 to 3.8% in 2013. Reduction in military expenditures was due to a greater emphasis on fiscal austerity and the winding down of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.