HL Deb 08 July 1998 vol 591 cc130-1WA
Lord Hardy of Wath

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the proportion of gross domestic product devoted to defence in each NATO member state both in the year 1997–98 and in the year 1987–88. [HL2409]

Lord Gilbert

The information requested for calendar years 1997 and 1987 is as follows:

Defence expenditure as a percentage of GDP
1997 1987
Greece 4.6 6.3
Turkey 4.3 4.7
US 3.6 6.6
France 3.0 4.0
UK 2.8 4.7
Portugal 2.6 3.2
Norway 2.2 3.2
Netherlands 1.9 3.1
Italy 1.9 2.2
Denmark 1.7 2.1
Germany 1.6 3.0
Belgium 1.6 3.0
Spain 1.4 2.0
Canada 1.3 2.1
Luxembourg 0.8 1.2

The figures for 1997 are our latest estimates and are based on information drawn from NATO sources. Those for 1987 are as published in the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1988 (Cm344-I).

Where possible, these percentages have been calculated against a common definition of defence spending so that true comparisons can be drawn. However, some anomalies and inconsistencies will remain.

For the UK, the defence budget in the financial year 1987–88 amounted to 4.4 per cent. of GDP and in 1997–98 it is estimated to amount to 2.7 per cent. of GDP.