Netherlands Military Spending
Defense budget and military expenditure data (1949–2027)
Data updated: July 7, 2026
Key Facts (2026 estimate)
Military Expenditure
$28.3 billion
Ranked #18 of 153 countries worldwide
Percent of GDP
2.2%
Ranked #69 of 163 countries by % of GDP
Year-over-Year Change
+5.0%
From $27.0B in 2025
Historical Peak Spending
$29.7 billion
Reached in 2027
Netherlands Defense Budget Summary
In 2026, Netherlands is estimated to have spent $28.3 billion on military and defense, representing 2.2% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This budget covers the armed forces including army, navy, and air force expenditures. Netherlands is the #18 highest military spender in the world by absolute spending.
Compared to the previous year (2025), defense spending increased by 5.0%, from $27.0 billion to $28.3 billion. This change in the military budget reflects growing defense priorities.
The highest percentage of GDP allocated to defense spending was 5.8% in 1956. The historical average military budget is 2.4% 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) | 2.40% | $29,695M |
| 2026(estimate) | 2.20% | $28,345M |
| 2025 | 2.19% | $26,995M |
| 2024 | 1.94% | $23,577M |
| 2023 | 1.44% | $17,214M |
| 2022 | 1.30% | $15,055M |
| 2021 | 1.37% | $15,554M |
| 2020 | 1.41% | $15,061M |
| 2019 | 1.29% | $14,241M |
| 2018 | 1.20% | $12,841M |
| 2017 | 1.14% | $11,842M |
| 2016 | 1.14% | $11,589M |
| 2015 | 1.12% | $11,024M |
| 2014 | 1.15% | $11,050M |
| 2013 | 1.16% | $11,035M |
| 2012 | 1.23% | $11,847M |
| 2011 | 1.28% | $12,608M |
| 2010 | 1.32% | $13,046M |
| 2009 | 1.39% | $13,620M |
| 2008 | 1.30% | $13,332M |
| 2007 | 1.35% | $13,567M |
| 2006 | 1.39% | $13,386M |
| 2005 | 1.39% | $12,783M |
| 2004 | 1.42% | $12,760M |
| 2003 | 1.44% | $12,668M |
| 2002 | 1.42% | $12,488M |
| 2001 | 1.43% | $12,501M |
| 2000 | 1.43% | $12,181M |
| 1999 | 1.57% | $12,686M |
| 1998 | 1.56% | $12,092M |
| 1997 | 1.64% | $12,133M |
| 1996 | 1.73% | $12,253M |
| 1995 | 1.77% | $12,175M |
| 1994 | 1.91% | $12,531M |
| 1993 | 2.03% | $12,994M |
| 1992 | 2.21% | $14,140M |
| 1991 | 2.25% | $14,221M |
| 1990 | 2.37% | $14,629M |
| 1989 | 2.52% | $15,052M |
| 1988 | 2.61% | $14,911M |
| 1987 | 2.71% | $14,969M |
| 1986 | 2.73% | $14,703M |
| 1985 | 2.77% | $14,496M |
| 1984 | 2.86% | $14,660M |
| 1983 | 2.85% | $14,417M |
| 1982 | 3.14% | $15,727M |
| 1981 | 2.86% | $14,586M |
| 1980 | 2.78% | $14,439M |
| 1979 | 2.84% | $14,841M |
| 1978 | 2.75% | $13,995M |
| 1977 | 2.95% | $14,482M |
| 1976 | 2.69% | $12,994M |
| 1975 | 2.84% | $13,164M |
| 1974 | 2.65% | $12,523M |
| 1973 | 2.70% | $11,974M |
| 1972 | 2.82% | $11,790M |
| 1971 | 2.84% | $11,430M |
| 1970 | 2.87% | $10,930M |
| 1969 | 3.23% | $10,674M |
| 1968 | 3.26% | $10,211M |
| 1967 | 3.52% | $10,330M |
| 1966 | 3.37% | $9,321M |
| 1965 | 3.57% | $9,597M |
| 1964 | 3.93% | $9,955M |
| 1963 | 4.01% | $9,128M |
| 1962 | 4.12% | $8,937M |
| 1961 | 4.09% | $8,418M |
| 1960 | 3.70% | $7,320M |
| 1959 | 4.02% | $6,524M |
| 1958 | 4.72% | $7,256M |
| 1957 | 5.32% | $8,259M |
| 1956 | 5.79% | $8,806M |
| 1955 | — | $8,222M |
| 1954 | — | $7,808M |
| 1953 | — | $6,822M |
| 1952 | — | $6,428M |
| 1951 | — | $5,437M |
| 1950 | — | $5,174M |
| 1949 | — | $4,256M |