Military expenditure in South Africa
South Africa: Military expenditure was 51.97 billion current LCU in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Military expenditure in South Africa, 1960–2024
Source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Measured in current LCU.
Analysis
In 2024, military expenditure in South Africa stood at 51.97 billion current LCU.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.9% on the previous year and up 23.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military expenditure in South Africa peaked at 53.21 billion current LCU in 2020 and was at its lowest, 50.00 million current LCU, in 1960.
South Africa ranks 83rd of 167 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 188.78 million current LCU | 50.00 million current LCU | 304.00 million current LCU | 10 |
| 1970s | 1.02 billion current LCU | 298.50 million current LCU | 1.82 billion current LCU | 10 |
| 1980s | 5.36 billion current LCU | 2.07 billion current LCU | 10.97 billion current LCU | 10 |
| 1990s | 11.08 billion current LCU | 10.49 billion current LCU | 12.35 billion current LCU | 10 |
| 2000s | 21.56 billion current LCU | 13.13 billion current LCU | 30.44 billion current LCU | 10 |
| 2010s | 41.92 billion current LCU | 30.66 billion current LCU | 49.64 billion current LCU | 10 |
| 2020s | 52.29 billion current LCU | 50.13 billion current LCU | 53.21 billion current LCU | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More public sector data for South Africa
- Arms imports 30.00 million SIPRI trend indicator values (2023)
- Tax revenue 25.9% (2024)
- Taxes on income, profits and capital gains 50.8% (2024)
- Taxes on goods and services 32.1% (2024)
- Net investment in nonfinancial assets 1.3% (2024)
- Net lending (+) / net borrowing (-) -4.8% (2024)
- Interest payments 18.2% (2024)
- Grants and other revenue 10.3% (2024)
- Interest payments 14.3% (2022)
- Other taxes 1.4% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military expenditure in South Africa?
- Military expenditure in South Africa was 51.97 billion current LCU in 2024, according to SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
- What is the highest military expenditure recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 53.21 billion current LCU in 2020.
- What is the lowest military expenditure recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 50.00 million current LCU in 1960.
- How does South Africa rank for military expenditure?
- South Africa ranks 83rd out of 167 countries with data for 2024.
- Is military expenditure rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 23.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa 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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About this data
Military expenditure in local currency at current prices (by calendar year)