Mexico Military Spending

Defense budget and military expenditure data (1949–2026)

Key Facts (2026 estimate)

Military Expenditure

$18.1 billion

Ranked #22 of 148 countries worldwide

Percent of GDP

0.5%

Ranked #149 of 157 countries by % of GDP

Year-over-Year Change

+4.8%

From $17.3B in 2025

Historical Peak Spending

$18.1 billion

Reached in 2026

Mexico Defense Budget Summary

In 2026, Mexico is estimated to have spent $18.1 billion on military and defense, representing 0.5% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This budget covers the armed forces including army, navy, and air force expenditures. Mexico is the #22 highest military spender in the world by absolute spending.

Compared to the previous year (2025), defense spending increased by 4.8%, from $17.3 billion to $18.1 billion. This change in the military budget reflects growing defense priorities.

The highest percentage of GDP allocated to defense spending was 0.9% in 2024. The historical average military budget is 0.6% of GDP.

Data source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database. Values are in constant 2023 US dollars. Data for 2026 is an estimate based on government budget announcements.

Historical Military Spending

Military Spending (% of GDP)

Military Spending (USD Billions, 2023 prices)

Historical Data

YearPercent of GDPUSD (millions)
2026(estimate)0.50%$18,097M
2025(estimate)0.50%$17,275M
20240.89%$16,452M
20230.66%$11,826M
20220.69%$12,009M
20210.66%$11,265M
20200.72%$11,694M
20190.51%$8,950M
20180.46%$8,143M
20170.42%$7,281M
20160.48%$8,036M
20150.45%$7,186M
20140.50%$7,651M
20130.49%$7,324M
20120.46%$6,924M
20110.45%$6,540M
20100.43%$5,991M
20090.48%$6,291M
20080.37%$5,238M
20070.38%$5,268M
Showing most recent 20 years of 78 total years of data.