Belgium: Defence Expenditure, by year
YearExpenditure,
in million USD
20226,901
20216,245
20205,324
20194,761
20184,845
20174,441
20164,258
20154,204
20145,200
  • Region: Belgium
  • Time period: 2014 to 2022
  • Published: Mar 2023

Data Analysis and Insights

Updated: Apr 15, 2024 | Published by: Statistico | About Us | Data sources

Exponential Growth in Defence Expenditure Over Recent Years

Belgium's defence expenditure witnessed a significant increase, from 4,204 million USD in 2015 to 6,901 million USD in 2022. This represents an impressive overall growth of 64.1% over seven years, highlighting a strong upward trend in the country's investment in defence.

Record High Defence Spending in 2022

The year 2022 marked a record high in Belgium's defence spending, reaching 6,901 million USD. This peak is part of a consistent annual increase in expenditure, reflecting Belgium's expanding commitment to its defence sector.

Notable Increase Following 2014

After a surprising expenditure of 5,200 million USD in 2014, Belgium's defence budget dropped to 4,204 million USD in 2015, only to rebound significantly in the subsequent years. The fluctuation indicates a temporary adjustment period before entering a phase of steady growth.

Substantial Growth Post-2019

Between 2019 and 2022, Belgium's defence spending surged by 2,140 million USD, marking a 45% increase in just three years. This period underscores the most intense phase of budget expansion, showcasing the government's heightened focus on defence capabilities.

Average Annual Increase in Recent Years

Analyzing the period from 2015 to 2022, Belgium's defence budget saw an average annual increase of approximately 383 million USD. This steady growth reflects the country's ongoing commitment to bolstering its defence infrastructure.

Comparative Expenditure Analysis

Comparing the earliest and latest data points, Belgium's defence expenditure in 2022 was 64.1% higher than in 2015. This significant rise demonstrates the country's evolving defence strategy and its increasing financial allocation to the sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much percent has Belgium's defense expenditure increased over the last seven years?

Belgium's defense expenditure has increased by 64.1% over the last seven years.

Terms and Definitions

Defence expenditure refers to the amount of financial resources that a country allocates to maintain and enhance its military forces. This may include spending on salaries, training, procurement of weapons and equipment, research, development, operations, administration, military construction, and other related activities geared towards national security.

Military forces refer to the armed forces of a country, including the army, navy, air force, and other specialized units. These forces are responsible for providing security, defending the country's sovereignty, and participating in peacekeeping missions and other international obligations.

National security is a concept that a government, along with its parliaments, should protect the state and its citizens against all types of national crises through various power projections, such as political power, diplomacy, economic power, military might, etc.

In the context of defence, procurement refers to the process by which military forces acquire or purchase equipment, arms, ammunition, and other needed supplies. This includes all steps from the initial needs assessment, through the selection of suppliers, purchasing, and delivery.

The defence budget refers to the allocated funds within a country’s overall budget for national defense purposes. It is typically an annual allocation that must be approved by the country's legislative branch.

The arms trade refers to the sale and distribution of weapons, ammunition, and military technology and equipment. It can occur both domestically (within one country) and internationally, between countries.

Military construction involves building and maintaining infrastructure for military use, like bases, barracks, airfields, fortifications, roads, and other facilities required by armed forces. It's a significant part of defence expenditure.

Peacekeeping missions refer to the international interventions, often led by international bodies like the United Nations, where armed forces from different countries are deployed with the aim of maintaining peace and preventing further conflicts in regions affected by war or unrest.
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Arms Trade and Defense Spending
Defense spending and arms trade refers to the financial allocation and transactions made by nations or international entities to develop, purchase, sell, and maintain military equipment, weaponry, and technologies for national security and political leverage. Read more »
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