Military expenditure in China
China: Military expenditure was 2.25 trillion current LCU in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Military expenditure in China, 1989–2024
Source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Measured in current LCU.
Analysis
In 2024, military expenditure in China stood at 2.25 trillion current LCU. That is the highest value across all 36 years on record.
The figure is up 7.4% on the previous year and up 101.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military expenditure in China peaked at 2.25 trillion current LCU in 2024 and was at its lowest, 42.36 billion current LCU, in 1989.
China ranks 26th of 167 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 42.36 billion current LCU | 42.36 billion current LCU | 42.36 billion current LCU | 1 |
| 1990s | 98.62 billion current LCU | 47.48 billion current LCU | 169.49 billion current LCU | 10 |
| 2000s | 368.40 billion current LCU | 184.09 billion current LCU | 659.93 billion current LCU | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.17 trillion current LCU | 714.42 billion current LCU | 1.66 trillion current LCU | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.99 trillion current LCU | 1.78 trillion current LCU | 2.25 trillion current LCU | 5 |
Countries ranked near China
More public sector data for China
- Arms imports 72.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values (2024)
- Tax revenue 7.0% (2024)
- Taxes on income, profits and capital gains 17.5% (2024)
- Taxes on goods and services 28.3% (2024)
- Interest payments 3.4% (2021)
- Grants and other revenue 9.2% (2024)
- Other taxes 0.0% (2024)
- Taxes on international trade 1.2% (2024)
- Military expenditure 1.7% (2024)
- Military expenditure 313.66 billion current USD (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military expenditure in China?
- Military expenditure in China was 2.25 trillion current LCU in 2024, according to SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
- What is the highest military expenditure recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 2.25 trillion current LCU in 2024.
- What is the lowest military expenditure recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 42.36 billion current LCU in 1989.
- How does China rank for military expenditure?
- China ranks 26th out of 167 countries with data for 2024.
- Is military expenditure rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 101.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), published as part of Military expenditure (current LCU). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 36 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Military expenditure in local currency at current prices (by calendar year)