Sweden Military Spending
Defense budget and military expenditure data (1960–2027)
Data updated: July 7, 2026
Key Facts (2026 estimate)
Military Expenditure
$15.7 billion
Ranked #26 of 153 countries worldwide
Percent of GDP
2.8%
Ranked #43 of 163 countries by % of GDP
Year-over-Year Change
+5.0%
From $15.0B in 2025
Historical Peak Spending
$16.4 billion
Reached in 2027
Sweden Defense Budget Summary
In 2026, Sweden is estimated to have spent $15.7 billion on military and defense, representing 2.8% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This budget covers the armed forces including army, navy, and air force expenditures. Sweden is the #26 highest military spender in the world by absolute spending.
Compared to the previous year (2025), defense spending increased by 5.0%, from $15.0 billion to $15.7 billion. This change in the military budget reflects growing defense priorities.
The highest percentage of GDP allocated to defense spending was 4.0% in 1963. 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) | 3.00% | $16,449M |
| 2026(estimate) | 2.80% | $15,702M |
| 2025 | 2.47% | $14,954M |
| 2024 | 1.99% | $12,047M |
| 2023 | 1.52% | $9,071M |
| 2022 | 1.34% | $8,249M |
| 2021 | 1.20% | $7,444M |
| 2020 | 1.15% | $6,753M |
| 2019 | 1.10% | $6,489M |
| 2018 | 1.04% | $5,962M |
| 2017 | 1.03% | $5,772M |
| 2016 | 1.06% | $5,772M |
| 2015 | 1.07% | $5,697M |
| 2014 | 1.13% | $5,636M |
| 2013 | 1.12% | $5,320M |
| 2012 | 1.14% | $5,289M |
| 2011 | 1.11% | $5,181M |
| 2010 | 1.19% | $5,510M |
| 2009 | 1.17% | $5,091M |
| 2008 | 1.17% | $5,191M |
| 2007 | 1.30% | $5,837M |
| 2006 | 1.32% | $5,688M |
| 2005 | 1.41% | $5,778M |
| 2004 | 1.43% | $5,704M |
| 2003 | 1.59% | $6,061M |
| 2002 | 1.63% | $6,105M |
| 2001 | 1.70% | $6,272M |
| 2000 | 1.82% | $6,610M |
| 1999 | 1.88% | $6,465M |
| 1998 | 1.89% | $6,230M |
| 1997 | 1.94% | $6,049M |
| 1996 | 2.12% | $6,376M |
| 1995 | 2.15% | $6,298M |
| 1994 | 2.25% | $6,284M |
| 1993 | 2.36% | $6,298M |
| 1992 | 2.44% | $6,316M |
| 1991 | 2.45% | $6,500M |
| 1990 | 2.57% | $6,900M |
| 1989 | 2.51% | $6,773M |
| 1988 | 2.59% | $6,695M |
| 1987 | 2.65% | $6,662M |
| 1986 | 2.59% | $6,244M |
| 1985 | 2.67% | $6,142M |
| 1984 | 2.67% | $6,052M |
| 1983 | 2.74% | $5,970M |
| 1982 | 2.85% | $6,039M |
| 1981 | 2.95% | $6,189M |
| 1980 | 2.92% | $6,297M |
| 1979 | 3.12% | $6,446M |
| 1978 | 3.15% | $6,214M |
| 1977 | 3.10% | $6,037M |
| 1976 | 3.00% | $5,992M |
| 1975 | 3.08% | $5,995M |
| 1974 | 3.22% | $5,848M |
| 1973 | 3.28% | $5,802M |
| 1972 | 3.41% | $5,784M |
| 1971 | 3.41% | $5,607M |
| 1970 | 3.36% | $5,485M |
| 1969 | 3.46% | $5,340M |
| 1968 | 3.48% | $5,073M |
| 1967 | 3.61% | $5,067M |
| 1966 | 3.86% | $5,198M |
| 1965 | 3.91% | $5,150M |
| 1964 | 3.87% | $4,858M |
| 1963 | 3.97% | $4,621M |
| 1962 | 3.86% | $4,334M |
| 1961 | 3.72% | $4,030M |
| 1960 | 3.78% | $3,841M |