Disarmament Diplomacy

Issue No. 58, June 2001

News Review

SIPRI Yearbook Details Global Arms Spending

On June 13, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released details of its 2001 Yearbook. The Yearbook, a detailed analysis of global trends in conflict and arms spending, reported total military expenditure of $798 billion in 2000, a staggering worldwide average of $130 per capita. Military expenditure constituted 2.5% of global gross domestic product (GDP). As the study notes: "It is a paradox that, in spite of an improved security environment in large parts of the world, since 1998 military expenditure has been rising in all regions." The report continues:

"The USA is by far the major spender, with 37% of total military expenditure in 2000... Over the two years 1999-2000, the USA raised its military expenditure by 2.3%, an increase of $6 billion (at constant 1998 prices). ... The rate of increase in Russian military expenditure has been extraordinary during the two years 1999-2000: roughly 44% in real terms according to provisional figures, a combined increase of $13 billion... However, because of the preceding sharp reductions during the 1990s, the current level of Russian military expenditure is now more comparable with that of the major European countries than with that of the USA. ... Russian military expenditure in 2000 accounted for 6% of the world total and was 10% higher than that of France and 85% lower than that of the USA. The regions with the steepest rise in military expenditure are Africa - an increase of 37% in real terms - and South Asia - 23% in real terms."

With regard to arms transfers, US corporations were responsible for 47% of all exports in 2000. Russian, French, British and German companies accounted for a total of nearly 40% of all exports. Over the 1996-2000 period, the major importers of weapons were Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, South Korea, and China.

Reports: Study shows increase in arms spending, Associated Press, June 13; SIPRI Yearbook 2001 - Armaments, Disarmament and International Security, SIPRI Press Release, June 13 (http://www.sipri.org).