The military expenditure in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) showed a steady increase from 2013 to 2023, rising from 23.561 billion USD to 32.484 billion USD in 2023. Despite a few minor fluctuations, such as a decline of 1.59% in 2020, the overall trend indicates a consistent growth in defense spending. For example, between 2021 and 2022, military expenditure grew by an impressive 8.65%. The last two years, 2022 and 2023, had year-on-year variations of 8.65% and 3.06%, respectively. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the last five years stood at 3.41%, reflecting the UAE's commitment to enhancing its military capabilities.
Future trends to watch include the continuation of annual growth, forecasted at an average CAGR of 2.28% over the next five years, leading to a total military expenditure of 37.428 billion USD by 2028. This indicates a sustained but slightly slowing growth rate, aligning with global trends of moderate increases in defense budgets. Additionally, geopolitical shifts in the Middle East and advancements in military technology could significantly impact future spending patterns.
