Military Expenditure in Denmark, 1960-2022

Denmark's military spending as a share of GDP experienced a gradual decline, with notable shifts reflecting changing defense policies. In the 1960s, spending hovered around 2.7%, with slight increases in the early 1970s tied to NATO commitments during the Cold War. However, expenditures began to decline by the late 1970s, stabilizing around 2.0% as geopolitical tensions eased in the following decade.

By the 1990s, Denmark's focus shifted toward peacekeeping missions, resulting in reduced military budgets, with spending dropping to 1.6% by the late 1990s. The 2000s maintained a similar trend, though recent increases to 1.4% in 2020 and 2022 reflect alignment with NATO defense goals and growing concerns about European security.