The Ten Largest Military Powers In The World

[ ] = estimated figure

10. Italy
> Spending 2010: $[37] Billion
> Change 2001 – 2010: [-5.8]%
> Share of GDP: [1.8]%
Italy spent the tenth greatest amount on the military in 2010.  Since 2001, military spending in the country dropped 5.8%.  This is the greatest decrease among all the countries featured on this list. One reason may be that the number of volunteer troops are being cut, according to the Italian nonprofit organization, the Istituto Affari Internazionali.  Italy’s defense budget is expected to be cut even further this year to reduce the the country’s debt.

9. India
> Spending 2010: $41.3 Billion
> Change 2001 – 2010: 54.3%
> Share of GDP: 2.7%
India spent the fifth largest amount on their military among all the Asian countries and the ninth largest amount in the world.  The country underwent the largest absolute decrease in military spending from 2009 to 2010, spending $1 billion less than the year before.  This decrease will likely not amount to much in the long run because in February India increased its defense spending by 11.6%.  This was done largely in response to the military strength of China and Pakistan.

8. Germany
> Spending 2010: $[45.2] Billion
> Change 2001 – 2010: [-2.7]%
> Share of GDP: [1.3]%
Although Germany has one of the world’s largest military budgets, its military spending as a percent of GDP, which is about 1.3%, is not especially high compared to other countries.  It is the second smallest percent among countries on this list. Spending in 2010 decreased 1.3%, after the country’s Defense Ministry recommended Germany close several army bases and cut the number of troops from 250,000 to 180,000.

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7. Saudi Arabia
> Spending 2010: $45.2 Billion
> Change 2001 – 2010: 63%
> Share of GDP: 10.4%
Saudi Arabia’s level of defense spending is all the more impressive when one considers the size of the country’s economy. The $45.2 billion the country spent in 2010 was 10.4% of the country’s GDP.  That percent is more than double that of any other country on this list.  Saudi Arabia also underwent the largest increase in military spending from 2009 to 2010, 4%.  It had the largest absolute increase in the Middle East as well, with $1.6 billion.

6. Japan
> Spending 2010: $54.5 Billion
> Change 2001 – 2010: [-1.7]%
> Share of GDP: 1%
Japan has kept its military expenditures at about 1% of GDP since 1967.  As a result, the amount spent on defense turns on the strength of the economy.  While military spending in the entire East Asia region has increased by more than 55% over the last decade, Japan’s has decreased by 1.7%, according to the Institute for Policy Studies.