Military Expenditure in Belgium, 1960-2022

Belgium’s military spending was robust during the Cold War, averaging over 3% of GDP in the 1960s and 1970s, reflecting its NATO commitments. Post-1980, expenditure declined steadily, falling below 2% in the early 1990s, driven by budgetary constraints and the reduced military threat in Europe.

Since 2000, spending has remained under 1.5%, emphasizing Belgium’s reliance on NATO for collective defense. A slight increase to 1.2% in 2022 reflects NATO-wide efforts to boost defense budgets in response to growing security challenges in Europe.