Military Expenditure in Rwanda, 1973-2022

Rwanda's military spending was relatively low in the 1970s, averaging around 1.6% of GDP. However, the civil war and genocide of the early 1990s led to a surge, with expenditure peaking at 5.5% in 1991. This reflected heightened security concerns and the need for extensive military operations during this period.

Post-genocide recovery saw a sharp decline in spending, dropping to 1.6% by 2006. Since then, Rwanda's military expenditure has remained moderate, averaging 1.2–1.5% in the 2010s and 2020s, reflecting a focus on stability, economic development, and regional peacekeeping contributions. By 2022, spending settled at 1.4%, emphasizing fiscal discipline alongside national security.