SIPRI report: India, China among top three military spenders in 2019

Introduction

The global military expenditure rose to $1917 billion in 2019 with India and China emerging among the top three spenders, according to a report by a Swedish think tank, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

SIPRI Report

The annual report ‘Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2019’ was released by the SIPRI

In 2019, China and India were, respectively, the second- and third-largest military spenders in the world.
China’s military expenditure reached $261 billion in 2019, a 5.1% increase compared with 2018.
India’s grew by 6.8% to $71.1 billion.
In 2019, the top five largest spenders — U.S. ($732 bn), China, India, Russia ($65.1 bn) and Saudi Arabia ($61.9 bn) — accounted for 62% of the global expenditure.

Reason for rise in India’s military expenditure

India’s tensions and rivalry with both Pakistan and China are among the major drivers for its increased military spending.
The $71.1 billion spent by India on defence in 2019 was 2.4% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). India was at the fourth position in 2018 with Saudi Arabia at the third.
Military expenditure grew by 259% over the 30-year period of 1990–2019, and by 37% over the decade of 2010–19. However, its military burden fell from 2.7% of GDP in 2010 to 2.4% in 2019.

cluding defence pensions, accounts for about 1.5% of the country’s GDP, the lowest in recent times.

Pak.’s expenditure

In comparison, Pakistan’s military expenditure rose by 70% over the decade 2010–19, to reach $10.3 billion while the military burden increased from 3.4% of GDP in 2010 to 4% in 2019, says the report. Pakistan was at the 24th position in 2019 compared to 19th in 2018.

Global military spending

Global military spending in 2019 represented 2.2% of the global GDP and this was an increase of 3.6% from 2018 and the largest annual growth in spending since 2010.
In Asia and Oceania, other than India and China, Japan ($47.6 bn) and South Korea ($43.9 bn) were the largest military spenders.

About SIPRI

SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament.

Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public.

Based in Stockholm, SIPRI is regularly ranked among the most respected think tanks worldwide.

SIPRI’s mission

undertake research and activities on security, conflict and peace;
provide policy analysis and recommendations;
facilitate dialogue and build capacities;
promote transparency and accountability; and
deliver authoritative information to global audiences.

Source: TH

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