Military expenditure in South Africa
South Africa: Military expenditure was 2.84 billion current USD in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Military expenditure in South Africa, 1960–2024
Source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Measured in current USD.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 2.84 billion current USD for military expenditure in 2024.
That represents a change of down 1.4% on the previous year and down 27.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military expenditure in South Africa peaked at 4.59 billion current USD in 2011 and was at its lowest, 70.00 million current USD, in 1960.
That places South Africa 57th out of 167 countries with data for 2024, putting it 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 | 264.29 million current USD | 70.00 million current USD | 425.60 million current USD | 10 |
| 1970s | 1.27 billion current USD | 417.90 million current USD | 2.16 billion current USD | 10 |
| 1980s | 3.09 billion current USD | 2.12 billion current USD | 4.26 billion current USD | 10 |
| 1990s | 3.06 billion current USD | 1.74 billion current USD | 4.36 billion current USD | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.86 billion current USD | 1.77 billion current USD | 3.59 billion current USD | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.86 billion current USD | 3.14 billion current USD | 4.59 billion current USD | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.12 billion current USD | 2.84 billion current USD | 3.39 billion current USD | 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 2.84 billion current USD 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 4.59 billion current USD in 2011.
- What is the lowest military expenditure recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 70.00 million current USD in 1960.
- How does South Africa rank for military expenditure?
- South Africa ranks 57th out of 167 countries with data for 2024.
- Is military expenditure rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 27.1%. 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 USD). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Military spending USD, in current prices (converted at the exchange rate for the given year)