Morocco’s Military Budget Surges to $4.8 Billion, Ranks 40th Globally

With $4.8 billion spent in 2020, Morocco ranks 40th in the world in terms of military spending in the Sipri ranking. The kingdom thus gains five places. Compared to 2019, the kingdom’s military spending increased by 29% and by more than 54% compared to 2011. This increase is explained by several factors, including the large arms procurement program launched in 2017. "The ongoing conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front in the Sahara and tensions with neighboring Algeria have also led Morocco to spend more on its military," the report notes.

Morocco is one of the 10 countries that devote a large part of their GDP to military spending. These countries are: Oman (11% of GDP), Saudi Arabia (8.4%), Kuwait (6.5%), Israel (5.6%), Jordan (5.0%), Algeria (6.7%), Azerbaijan (5.4%), Armenia (4.9%), Morocco (4.3%) and Russia (4.3%).

In 2020, global military spending is around $1,981 billion, an increase of 2.6% compared to 2019 and 9.3% compared to 2011. This figure is the highest level since 1988. At the top are the United States, China, India, Russia and the United Kingdom.