RSSDefense Spending as a Percentage of Gross Domestic Product
Over the past 40 years defense spending as a percentage of GDP has trended downward, although there have been peaks and valleys along the way. From a high of 9.5% of GDP in 1968 to the current level of 3.9%, defense spending has always been a hot topic of debate both inside and outside Washington. The so-called “Peace Dividend” beginning in the early 1990s at the end of the Cold War is clearly evident on this chart as is the increased military spending after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
One Response to “Defense Spending as a Percentage of Gross Domestic Product”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
June 24th, 2008 at 10:22 am
What part of our defense spending goes to support other countries in the way of defense? Why after 60 years do we need to base troops around the world in places the local people don’t even like us? Let Japan, Germany, South Korea and many others pick that part up.