Canada Military Spending
Defense budget and military expenditure data (1950–2027)
Data updated: July 7, 2026
Key Facts (2026 estimate)
Military Expenditure
$39.4 billion
Ranked #16 of 153 countries worldwide
Percent of GDP
2.1%
Ranked #77 of 163 countries by % of GDP
Year-over-Year Change
+5.0%
From $37.5B in 2025
Historical Peak Spending
$41.3 billion
Reached in 2027
Canada Defense Budget Summary
In 2026, Canada is estimated to have spent $39.4 billion on military and defense, representing 2.1% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This budget covers the armed forces including army, navy, and air force expenditures. Canada is the #16 highest military spender in the world by absolute spending.
Compared to the previous year (2025), defense spending increased by 5.0%, from $37.5 billion to $39.4 billion. This change in the military budget reflects growing defense priorities.
The highest percentage of GDP allocated to defense spending was 7.4% in 1953. The historical average military budget is 2.3% of GDP.
Data source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database. Values are in constant 2024 US dollars. Data for 2026 is an estimate based on government budget announcements.
Historical Military Spending
Military Spending (% of GDP)
Military Spending (USD Billions, 2024 prices)
Historical Data
| Year | Percent of GDP | USD (millions) |
|---|---|---|
| 2027(estimate) | 2.40% | $41,282M |
| 2026(estimate) | 2.10% | $39,406M |
| 2025 | 1.63% | $37,529M |
| 2024 | 1.35% | $30,618M |
| 2023 | 1.31% | $29,146M |
| 2022 | 1.14% | $25,396M |
| 2021 | 1.22% | $25,691M |
| 2020 | 1.42% | $26,979M |
| 2019 | 1.22% | $24,389M |
| 2018 | 1.25% | $24,639M |
| 2017 | 1.30% | $25,012M |
| 2016 | 1.14% | $21,186M |
| 2015 | 1.17% | $21,631M |
| 2014 | 1.09% | $20,436M |
| 2013 | 1.00% | $18,236M |
| 2012 | 1.12% | $19,728M |
| 2011 | 1.19% | $20,747M |
| 2010 | 1.19% | $20,069M |
| 2009 | 1.38% | $22,219M |
| 2008 | 1.25% | $21,249M |
| 2007 | 1.19% | $19,717M |
| 2006 | 1.12% | $18,085M |
| 2005 | 1.11% | $17,282M |
| 2004 | 1.10% | $16,554M |
| 2003 | 1.11% | $15,950M |
| 2002 | 1.12% | $15,662M |
| 2001 | 1.13% | $15,583M |
| 2000 | 1.11% | $15,180M |
| 1999 | 1.24% | $15,433M |
| 1998 | 1.26% | $14,794M |
| 1997 | 1.25% | $14,300M |
| 1996 | 1.40% | $15,518M |
| 1995 | 1.55% | $16,898M |
| 1994 | 1.70% | $17,929M |
| 1993 | 1.82% | $18,193M |
| 1992 | 1.86% | $18,239M |
| 1991 | 1.90% | $18,442M |
| 1990 | 1.96% | $19,969M |
| 1989 | 1.93% | $19,988M |
| 1988 | 1.99% | $20,089M |
| 1987 | 2.06% | $19,779M |
| 1986 | 2.11% | $19,356M |
| 1985 | 2.10% | $19,002M |
| 1984 | 2.12% | $18,456M |
| 1983 | 2.08% | $17,321M |
| 1982 | 1.95% | $15,892M |
| 1981 | 1.71% | $14,620M |
| 1980 | 1.76% | $14,798M |
| 1979 | 1.71% | $14,062M |
| 1978 | 1.85% | $14,524M |
| 1977 | 1.81% | $13,942M |
| 1976 | 1.77% | $13,326M |
| 1975 | 1.86% | $13,125M |
| 1974 | 1.78% | $12,351M |
| 1973 | 1.83% | $11,777M |
| 1972 | 2.01% | $11,858M |
| 1971 | 2.13% | $11,788M |
| 1970 | 2.19% | $11,406M |
| 1969 | 2.27% | $11,384M |
| 1968 | 2.54% | $12,088M |
| 1967 | 2.75% | $12,443M |
| 1966 | 2.68% | $11,704M |
| 1965 | 2.93% | $11,850M |
| 1964 | 3.40% | $12,787M |
| 1963 | 3.62% | $12,643M |
| 1962 | 4.00% | $13,235M |
| 1961 | 4.13% | $12,743M |
| 1960 | 4.19% | $12,484M |
| 1959 | 4.40% | $12,767M |
| 1958 | 4.94% | $13,646M |
| 1957 | 5.35% | $14,650M |
| 1956 | 5.69% | $15,340M |
| 1955 | 6.18% | $15,031M |
| 1954 | 6.86% | $15,180M |
| 1953 | 7.37% | $16,317M |
| 1952 | 6.80% | $14,219M |
| 1951 | 4.66% | $8,847M |
| 1950 | 2.43% | $4,366M |