Chile Military Spending
Defense budget and military expenditure data (1950–2027)
Data updated: July 7, 2026
Key Facts (2026 estimate)
Military Expenditure
$5.4 billion
Ranked #48 of 153 countries worldwide
Percent of GDP
1.5%
Ranked #99 of 163 countries by % of GDP
Year-over-Year Change
+5.0%
From $5.2B in 2025
Historical Peak Spending
$5.8 billion
Reached in 2020
Chile Defense Budget Summary
In 2026, Chile is estimated to have spent $5.4 billion on military and defense, representing 1.5% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This budget covers the armed forces including army, navy, and air force expenditures. Chile is the #48 highest military spender in the world by absolute spending.
Compared to the previous year (2025), defense spending increased by 5.0%, from $5.2 billion to $5.4 billion. This change in the military budget reflects growing defense priorities.
The highest percentage of GDP allocated to defense spending was 8.9% in 1982. The historical average military budget is 3.4% 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) | 1.50% | $5,667M |
| 2026(estimate) | 1.50% | $5,409M |
| 2025 | 1.52% | $5,152M |
| 2024 | 1.67% | $5,507M |
| 2023 | 1.63% | $5,079M |
| 2022 | 1.55% | $4,835M |
| 2021 | 1.65% | $5,239M |
| 2020 | 2.07% | $5,769M |
| 2019 | 1.86% | $5,214M |
| 2018 | 1.88% | $5,216M |
| 2017 | 1.94% | $5,227M |
| 2016 | 1.92% | $4,985M |
| 2015 | 1.91% | $4,826M |
| 2014 | 1.97% | $4,838M |
| 2013 | 1.99% | $4,768M |
| 2012 | 2.05% | $4,712M |
| 2011 | 2.26% | $5,021M |
| 2010 | 2.25% | $4,710M |
| 2009 | 2.28% | $4,187M |
| 2008 | 2.58% | $4,656M |
| 2007 | 2.33% | $4,386M |
| 2006 | 2.51% | $4,455M |
| 2005 | 2.53% | $3,910M |
| 2004 | 2.71% | $3,803M |
| 2003 | 2.70% | $3,355M |
| 2002 | 2.53% | $2,957M |
| 2001 | 2.65% | $2,971M |
| 2000 | 2.69% | $2,906M |
| 1999 | 2.70% | $2,764M |
| 1998 | 2.58% | $2,671M |
| 1997 | 2.47% | $2,568M |
| 1996 | 2.42% | $2,406M |
| 1995 | 2.56% | $2,387M |
| 1994 | 2.60% | $2,194M |
| 1993 | 2.71% | $2,071M |
| 1992 | 2.63% | $1,896M |
| 1991 | 2.85% | $1,872M |
| 1990 | 3.40% | $1,978M |
| 1989 | 3.59% | $2,093M |
| 1988 | 4.14% | $2,273M |
| 1987 | 5.64% | $2,724M |
| 1986 | 6.29% | $2,742M |
| 1985 | 6.90% | $2,789M |
| 1984 | 7.61% | $2,868M |
| 1983 | 7.58% | $2,817M |
| 1982 | 8.88% | $3,342M |
| 1981 | 7.02% | $2,986M |
| 1980 | 6.48% | $2,786M |
| 1979 | 6.33% | $2,641M |
| 1978 | 6.73% | $2,363M |
| 1977 | 6.92% | $2,009M |
| 1976 | 6.09% | $1,517M |
| 1975 | 6.74% | $1,444M |
| 1974 | 7.11% | $1,876M |
| 1973 | 6.28% | $1,250M |
| 1972 | 6.63% | $1,223M |
| 1971 | 6.26% | $1,112M |
| 1970 | 4.45% | $735M |
| 1969 | 2.26% | $344M |
| 1968 | 2.53% | $346M |
| 1967 | 2.71% | $340M |
| 1966 | 2.74% | $312M |
| 1965 | 2.89% | $283M |
| 1964 | 2.64% | $238M |
| 1963 | 2.87% | $249M |
| 1962 | 3.04% | $250M |
| 1961 | 3.53% | $278M |
| 1960 | 3.12% | $236M |
| 1959 | 2.15% | $170M |
| 1958 | 2.70% | $222M |
| 1957 | 3.05% | $202M |
| 1956 | 2.30% | $200M |
| 1955 | 2.30% | $158M |
| 1954 | 1.69% | $112M |
| 1953 | 2.78% | $205M |
| 1952 | 2.57% | — |
| 1951 | 3.07% | — |
| 1950 | 2.64% | — |