Democratic Republic of the Congo Military Spending
Defense budget and military expenditure data (1963–2027)
Data updated: July 7, 2026
Key Facts (2026 estimate)
Military Expenditure
$1.1 billion
Ranked #82 of 153 countries worldwide
Percent of GDP
1.2%
Ranked #113 of 163 countries by % of GDP
Year-over-Year Change
+3.0%
From $1.1B in 2025
Historical Peak Spending
$1.1 billion
Reached in 2027
Democratic Republic of the Congo Defense Budget Summary
In 2026, Democratic Republic of the Congo is estimated to have spent $1.1 billion on military and defense, representing 1.2% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This budget covers the armed forces including army, navy, and air force expenditures. Democratic Republic of the Congo is the #82 highest military spender in the world by absolute spending.
Compared to the previous year (2025), defense spending increased by 3.0%, from $1.1 billion to $1.1 billion. This change in the military budget reflects growing defense priorities.
The highest percentage of GDP allocated to defense spending was 5.2% in 1993. The historical average military budget is 0.8% 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) | 1.24% | $1,147M |
| 2026(estimate) | 1.24% | $1,114M |
| 2025 | 1.38% | $1,082M |
| 2024 | 1.22% | $899M |
| 2023 | 1.12% | $763M |
| 2022 | 0.57% | $375M |
| 2021 | 0.53% | $334M |
| 2020 | 0.73% | $399M |
| 2019 | 0.69% | $386M |
| 2018 | 0.61% | $331M |
| 2017 | 0.74% | $385M |
| 2016 | 1.03% | $487M |
| 2015 | 1.22% | $572M |
| 2014 | 0.89% | $400M |
| 2013 | 1.07% | $441M |
| 2012 | 1.11% | $395M |
| 2011 | 0.90% | $286M |
| 2010 | 0.82% | $249M |
| 2009 | 0.65% | $183M |
| 2008 | 0.70% | $242M |
| 2007 | 1.11% | $338M |
| 2006 | 1.32% | $357M |
| 2005 | 1.31% | $329M |
| 2004 | 1.34% | $281M |
| 2003 | 0.88% | $169M |
| 2000 | 0.22% | $100M |
| 1999 | 1.16% | $134M |
| 1998 | 0.43% | $37M |
| 1997 | 1.41% | $122M |
| 1996 | 1.55% | $149M |
| 1993 | 5.23% | $431M |
| 1992 | — | $140M |
| 1991 | — | $73M |
| 1990 | — | $80M |
| 1989 | — | $113M |
| 1988 | — | $360M |
| 1987 | — | $49M |
| 1986 | — | $110M |
| 1985 | — | $80M |
| 1984 | — | $94M |
| 1983 | — | $76M |
| 1982 | — | $111M |
| 1981 | — | $57M |
| 1980 | — | $104M |
| 1979 | 0.00% | $118M |
| 1978 | 0.00% | $129M |
| 1977 | 0.00% | $148M |
| 1976 | 0.00% | $173M |
| 1975 | 0.00% | $283M |
| 1974 | 0.00% | $397M |
| 1973 | 0.00% | $278M |
| 1972 | 0.00% | $295M |
| 1971 | 0.00% | $370M |
| 1970 | 0.00% | $394M |
| 1969 | 0.00% | $301M |
| 1968 | 0.00% | $223M |
| 1967 | — | $215M |
| 1966 | 0.00% | $239M |
| 1965 | — | $279M |
| 1964 | 0.00% | $171M |
| 1963 | — | $124M |