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Federal Revenue and Spending: A Book of Charts

Despite War Costs, Defense Spending Falls Below Historical Average

At 4 percent of GDP, defense spending is 1.5 percentage points of GDP below the 45-year historical average and well below Cold War and Vietnam War levels.

National Defense Spending as a Percentage of GDP, 1962-2007

Federal Revenue & Spending Chart Graphic Featuring Discretionary and Mandatory Spending
Open PDF to PrintNext Chart
Source: Outlays from FY 2009 Historical Tables, Budget of the United States Government, Table 8.4.
 

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