Military Expenditure in Austria, 1960-2022

Austria’s military expenditure remained modest, reflecting its neutral stance post-World War II. Spending peaked at 1.9% of GDP in 1964 but gradually decreased, stabilizing at around 1% from the 1990s onwards. This aligns with Austria’s focus on economic development and a reduced threat perception in Europe after the Cold War.

A slight uptick to 0.9%–1% in 2020–2021 indicates renewed interest in bolstering defense capabilities amid rising geopolitical uncertainties in Europe. However, spending remains one of the lowest among European nations, consistent with Austria's neutral policies.