Singapore Military Spending
Defense budget and military expenditure data (1970–2027)
Data updated: July 7, 2026
Key Facts (2026 estimate)
Military Expenditure
$17.7 billion
Ranked #23 of 153 countries worldwide
Percent of GDP
3.0%
Ranked #40 of 163 countries by % of GDP
Year-over-Year Change
+5.0%
From $16.9B in 2025
Historical Peak Spending
$18.6 billion
Reached in 2027
Singapore Defense Budget Summary
In 2026, Singapore is estimated to have spent $17.7 billion on military and defense, representing 3.0% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This budget covers the armed forces including army, navy, and air force expenditures. Singapore is the #23 highest military spender in the world by absolute spending.
Compared to the previous year (2025), defense spending increased by 5.0%, from $16.9 billion to $17.7 billion. This change in the military budget reflects growing defense priorities.
The highest percentage of GDP allocated to defense spending was 5.7% in 1977. The historical average military budget is 4.1% 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) | 3.00% | $18,591M |
| 2026(estimate) | 3.00% | $17,746M |
| 2025 | 3.05% | $16,901M |
| 2024 | 2.80% | $15,326M |
| 2023 | 2.76% | $14,377M |
| 2022 | 2.36% | $13,284M |
| 2021 | 2.52% | $12,615M |
| 2020 | 2.81% | $11,790M |
| 2019 | 2.77% | $12,356M |
| 2018 | 2.81% | $12,500M |
| 2017 | 2.97% | $12,391M |
| 2016 | 3.09% | $12,070M |
| 2015 | 3.05% | $11,352M |
| 2014 | 3.05% | $10,644M |
| 2013 | 3.04% | $10,343M |
| 2012 | 3.11% | $10,377M |
| 2011 | 3.19% | $10,625M |
| 2010 | 3.38% | $11,018M |
| 2009 | 3.88% | $11,235M |
| 2008 | 3.85% | $10,871M |
| 2007 | 3.60% | $10,798M |
| 2006 | 3.92% | $10,398M |
| 2005 | 4.28% | $10,305M |
| 2004 | 4.38% | $9,701M |
| 2003 | 4.84% | $9,521M |
| 2002 | 4.89% | $9,428M |
| 2001 | 4.80% | $8,942M |
| 2000 | 4.51% | $8,733M |
| 1999 | 5.21% | $9,030M |
| 1998 | 5.21% | $8,864M |
| 1997 | 4.45% | $7,828M |
| 1996 | 4.26% | $6,975M |
| 1995 | 4.18% | $6,367M |
| 1994 | 3.79% | $5,316M |
| 1993 | 4.09% | $5,143M |
| 1992 | 4.47% | $4,985M |
| 1991 | 4.45% | $4,689M |
| 1990 | 4.63% | $4,532M |
| 1989 | 4.49% | $3,949M |
| 1988 | 4.55% | $3,566M |
| 1987 | 4.87% | $3,306M |
| 1986 | 5.44% | $3,334M |
| 1985 | 5.66% | $3,415M |
| 1984 | 4.70% | $2,912M |
| 1983 | 4.07% | $2,361M |
| 1982 | 4.65% | $2,438M |
| 1981 | 4.74% | $2,307M |
| 1980 | 4.64% | $2,080M |
| 1979 | 4.65% | $1,851M |
| 1978 | 5.20% | $1,866M |
| 1977 | 5.68% | $1,907M |
| 1976 | 5.04% | $1,604M |
| 1975 | 4.65% | $1,328M |
| 1974 | 4.29% | $1,174M |
| 1973 | 4.70% | $1,276M |
| 1972 | 5.09% | $1,318M |
| 1971 | 5.64% | $1,246M |
| 1970 | 5.40% | $1,029M |