Military Expenditure in United Kingdom, 1960-2022

The UK's military expenditure started at a substantial 7.1% of GDP in 1960, influenced by the Cold War and its status as a global power. Declines through the 1960s and 1970s, reaching 5.2% in 1970, reflect economic pressures and a reassessment of the UK's global role following the decolonization process. Expenditure peaked again in the early 1980s, driven by the Falklands War and Margaret Thatcher’s defense policies, hovering around 5.4%.

Post-Cold War reductions were sharp, with spending decreasing to 2.4% by the late 1990s. This trend stabilized around 2.0% during the 21st century, reflecting the UK's commitment to NATO while balancing domestic fiscal constraints. The slight rise to 2.2% in 2020 indicates increased defense spending driven by global instability, including Brexit-related security concerns and emerging threats such as cyber warfare.