GLOBAL military expenditure rose by 4% in 2008 to
a record $1.46 trillion, according to a new report by the Stockholm
International Peace Research Institute. Israel spends most on
defence relative to its population, shelling out over $2,300 a
person, over $300 more than America. Small and rich countries, and
notably Gulf states, feature prominently by this measure. Saudi
Arabia ranks ninth in absolute spending, but sixth by population.
China has increased spending by 10% to $85 billion to become the
world's second largest spender. But it is still dwarfed by America,
whose outlay of $607 billion is higher than that of the next 14
biggest spenders combined.