Malta Military Spending
Defense budget and military expenditure data (1985–2027)
Data updated: July 7, 2026
Key Facts (2026 estimate)
Military Expenditure
$123 million
Ranked #133 of 153 countries worldwide
Percent of GDP
0.6%
Ranked #152 of 163 countries by % of GDP
Year-over-Year Change
+5.1%
From $117M in 2025
Historical Peak Spending
$128 million
Reached in 2027
Malta Defense Budget Summary
In 2026, Malta is estimated to have spent $123 million on military and defense, representing 0.6% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This budget covers the armed forces including army, navy, and air force expenditures. Malta is the #133 highest military spender in the world by absolute spending.
Compared to the previous year (2025), defense spending increased by 5.1%, from $117 million to $123 million. This change in the military budget reflects growing defense priorities.
The highest percentage of GDP allocated to defense spending was 1.5% in 1987. The historical average military budget is 0.7% 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) | 0.60% | $128M |
| 2026(estimate) | 0.55% | $123M |
| 2025 | 0.45% | $117M |
| 2024 | 0.37% | $94M |
| 2023 | 0.38% | $87M |
| 2022 | 0.42% | $87M |
| 2021 | 0.45% | $91M |
| 2020 | 0.53% | $94M |
| 2019 | 0.49% | $90M |
| 2018 | 0.41% | $72M |
| 2017 | 0.46% | $74M |
| 2016 | 0.50% | $71M |
| 2015 | 0.46% | $61M |
| 2014 | 0.48% | $57M |
| 2013 | 0.50% | $54M |
| 2012 | 0.52% | $52M |
| 2011 | 0.57% | $56M |
| 2010 | 0.65% | $63M |
| 2009 | 0.68% | $61M |
| 2008 | 0.61% | $56M |
| 2007 | 0.62% | $55M |
| 2006 | 0.66% | $55M |
| 2005 | 0.82% | $68M |
| 2004 | 0.66% | $54M |
| 2003 | 0.63% | $51M |
| 2002 | 0.64% | $49M |
| 2001 | 0.67% | $50M |
| 2000 | 0.63% | $47M |
| 1999 | 0.68% | $48M |
| 1998 | 0.73% | $50M |
| 1997 | 0.82% | $54M |
| 1996 | 0.87% | $56M |
| 1995 | 0.84% | $52M |
| 1994 | 1.02% | $52M |
| 1993 | 1.00% | $48M |
| 1992 | 0.97% | $46M |
| 1991 | 0.87% | $38M |
| 1990 | 0.91% | $38M |
| 1989 | 1.11% | $43M |
| 1988 | 1.22% | $43M |
| 1987 | 1.46% | $47M |
| 1986 | 1.27% | $38M |
| 1985 | 1.28% | $36M |