British Military Spending before World War I
| |
In Real Terms |
As Percent of GNP |
| 1880 |
25.1 |
1.7 |
| 1890 |
34.2 |
2.0 |
| 1904 |
73.3 |
3.1 |
| 1911 |
62.9 |
2.3 |
Note: spending figures in millions of pounds sterling, 1900 prices.
Annual rate of increase of real military spending, 1880-1911: 3%
Annual raate of increase of GNP in same period: 1.8%
French Military Spending Before World War I
| |
In Real Terms |
As Percent of GNP |
| 1881 |
715 |
2.5 |
| 1891 |
946 |
1.8 |
| 1904 |
1053 |
2.4 |
| 1911 |
1534 |
3.3 |
Note: spending figures in millions of francs, 1905-1911 prices
Annual rate of increase of military spending, 1881-1911: 2.6%
Annual rate of increase of GNP in same period: 1.7%
German Military Spending Before World War I
| |
In Real Terms |
As Percent of GNP |
| 1880 |
418 |
1.9 |
| 1890 |
479 |
1.5 |
| 1904 |
790 |
1.6 |
| 1913 |
973 |
1.6 |
Note: spending figures in millions of marks, 1913 prices
Annual rate of increase of military spending, 1880-1913: 2.6%
Annual rate of increase of GNP, same period: 3.0%
Table 7: Military Spending Before World War I
Source: B.R. Mitchell, European Historical Statistics,
and sources cited there.
One should note that in 1976, according to U.S. government figures,
the United States spent 5.1% of its GNP on defense, the USSR spent 12.8%,
and Israel spent 29.7%.
Source: U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, World Military
Expenditures and Arms Transfers, 1986