Military Expenditure in Cameroon, 1969-2022

Cameroon's military expenditure trends reveal a gradual decline over the decades. In the 1970s and 1980s, spending averaged 1.7–2%, reflecting investments in internal security and regional stability. The economic downturn of the late 1980s and early 1990s led to a reduction, with expenditures falling to around 1.3% by the mid-1990s.

Since 2000, spending has stabilized at roughly 1.1% of GDP, reflecting fiscal constraints and a focus on economic recovery. The slight drop to 0.9% in 2022 indicates continued prioritization of economic resilience over military expansion, despite ongoing regional security concerns.