The military spending map of the world

By Dilip -
How much do countries spend on their militaries? This data from the Stockholm International Peace research Institute shows the world in arms spending - both in dollars over time and as a percentage of GDP. With Tableau map showing data for each country: 
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/interactive/2012/apr/17/arms-spending-map-world

New SIPRI data for 2011: http://www.sipri.org/research/armaments/milex
The SIPRI military expenditure project was initiated in 1967 to study developments in world military expenditure. Military expenditure is an indicator of the economic resources devoted to military purposes. There is no direct relationship between the level of military expenditure and output in terms of military resources, military activities or military capability. Military expenditure is an input measure and military output depends on several factors other than its financing. However, analysed in its economic and political context, the level and trend in military expenditure can provide information not only on the cost of military activities but also about their extent and change over time, which can have an impact on military capability or reflect military intentions.

Download the SIPRI factsheet on military expenditure for 2011

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