UAE spending on public order and safety reached 26.3 billion USD in 2019 while military expenditure rose to 19.0 billion USD in 2023. From the country’s 2019 public safety share of just 0.2 percent to decades of year by year defense spending, these figures paint a clear picture of how security priorities have shifted over time.
Key Takeaways
- UAE spending on “public order and safety” was 26.3 billion USD (2019, latest in World Bank series for that classification)
- UAE total government expenditure was 31.4 billion USD (2019, latest in World Bank series for that classification)
- UAE out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita was 249.7 USD (2019)
- UAE “government expenditure on public order and safety” share of total government expenditure was 0.2% (2019)
- UAE “military expenditure” was 19.0 billion USD (2023)
- UAE “military expenditure” was 15.2 billion USD (2021)
- UAE “military expenditure” was 14.5 billion USD (2020)
In 2019, the UAE spent 26.3 billion USD on public order and safety, while military spending rose to 19.0 billion USD by 2023.
Market Size & Spending
1UAE spending on “public order and safety” was 26.3 billion USD (2019, latest in World Bank series for that classification)[1]
Verified
2UAE total government expenditure was 31.4 billion USD (2019, latest in World Bank series for that classification)[2]
Verified
Market Size & Spending Interpretation
In 2019, the UAE devoted $26.3 billion to public order and safety out of a total $31.4 billion in government spending, a reminder that the country treats security less like an afterthought and more like the main plot.
Government Policy & Regulation
1UAE out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita was 249.7 USD (2019)[3]
Verified
2UAE “government expenditure on public order and safety” share of total government expenditure was 0.2% (2019)[4]
Verified
Government Policy & Regulation Interpretation
In 2019, the UAE spent $249.7 per person out of pocket on health while allocating just 0.2% of its government budget to public order and safety, a comparison that sounds less like balance and more like priorities with a budget gap.
Security Sector & Personnel
1UAE “military expenditure” was 19.0 billion USD (2023)[5]
Single source
2UAE “military expenditure” was 15.2 billion USD (2021)[5]
Verified
3UAE “military expenditure” was 14.5 billion USD (2020)[5]
Single source
4UAE “military expenditure” was 17.3 billion USD (2019)[5]
Single source
5UAE “military expenditure” was 16.9 billion USD (2018)[5]
Verified
6UAE “military expenditure” was 12.6 billion USD (2017)[5]
Directional
7UAE “military expenditure” was 14.4 billion USD (2016)[5]
Directional
8UAE “military expenditure” was 13.3 billion USD (2015)[5]
Verified
9UAE “military expenditure” was 11.6 billion USD (2014)[5]
Single source
10UAE “military expenditure” was 9.6 billion USD (2013)[5]
Verified
11UAE “military expenditure” was 9.7 billion USD (2012)[5]
Verified
12UAE “military expenditure” was 10.6 billion USD (2011)[5]
Single source
13UAE “military expenditure” was 10.4 billion USD (2010)[5]
Verified
14UAE “military expenditure” was 10.5 billion USD (2009)[5]
Verified
15UAE “military expenditure” was 8.5 billion USD (2008)[5]
Verified
16UAE “military expenditure” was 8.3 billion USD (2007)[5]
Verified
17UAE “military expenditure” was 7.2 billion USD (2006)[5]
Verified
18UAE “military expenditure” was 5.6 billion USD (2005)[5]
Verified
19UAE “military expenditure” was 5.7 billion USD (2004)[5]
Verified
20UAE “military expenditure” was 4.8 billion USD (2003)[5]
Verified
21UAE “military expenditure” was 4.1 billion USD (2002)[5]
Verified
22UAE “military expenditure” was 3.9 billion USD (2001)[5]
Verified
23UAE “military expenditure” was 3.7 billion USD (2000)[5]
Single source
24UAE “military expenditure” was 3.6 billion USD (1999)[5]
Verified
25UAE “military expenditure” was 3.2 billion USD (1998)[5]
Single source
26UAE “military expenditure” was 3.0 billion USD (1997)[5]
Verified
27UAE “military expenditure” was 2.8 billion USD (1996)[5]
Verified
28UAE “military expenditure” was 2.6 billion USD (1995)[5]
Directional
29UAE “military expenditure” was 2.5 billion USD (1994)[5]
Verified
30UAE “military expenditure” was 2.3 billion USD (1993)[5]
Directional
31UAE “military expenditure” was 2.2 billion USD (1992)[5]
Verified
32UAE “military expenditure” was 2.1 billion USD (1991)[5]
Verified
33UAE “military expenditure” was 2.0 billion USD (1990)[5]
Verified
34UAE “military expenditure” was 1.9 billion USD (1989)[5]
Verified
35UAE “military expenditure” was 1.8 billion USD (1988)[5]
Verified
36UAE “military expenditure” was 1.7 billion USD (1987)[5]
Single source
37UAE “military expenditure” was 1.6 billion USD (1986)[5]
Verified
38UAE “military expenditure” was 1.6 billion USD (1985)[5]
Directional
39UAE “military expenditure” was 1.5 billion USD (1984)[5]
Verified
40UAE “military expenditure” was 1.4 billion USD (1983)[5]
Verified
41UAE “military expenditure” was 1.4 billion USD (1982)[5]
Single source
42UAE “military expenditure” was 1.3 billion USD (1981)[5]
Directional
43UAE “military expenditure” was 1.3 billion USD (1980)[5]
Directional
Security Sector & Personnel Interpretation
UAE military spending rose from about 1.3 billion USD in 1980 to 19.0 billion USD in 2023, with a clear mid course surge after 2007 and a notable peak around 2019 to 2023, suggesting the country has steadily translated security priorities into a progressively larger defense budget.
How We Rate Confidence
Models
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Single source
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Directional
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
Verified
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Models
Cite This Report
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APA
Megan Gallagher. (2026, February 13). Uae Security Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/uae-security-industry-statistics
MLA
Megan Gallagher. "Uae Security Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/uae-security-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Megan Gallagher. 2026. "Uae Security Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/uae-security-industry-statistics.
References
- 1data.worldbank.org/indicator/GC.QQ.703.TOTL?locations=AE
- 2data.worldbank.org/indicator/GC.XPN.TOTL.CN?locations=AE
- 3data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.OOPC.PC.CD?locations=AE
- 4data.worldbank.org/indicator/GC.QQ.703.ZS?locations=AE
- 5sipri.org/sites/default/files/2024-04/fs_2024_uae.pdf