World 2% of gross world product (1999 est.)

USA 3.2% of GDP(FY99 est.)

UK 2.32% of GDP(2002)

France 2.57% of GDP(2002)

Germany 1.38% of GDP (2002)

Israel 8.75% of GDP (FY02)

Egypt 4.1% of GDP (FY99/00)

Syria 5.9% of GDP (FY98)

Iran 3.1% of GDP(FY00)

India 2.5% of GDP(FY01)

Pakistan 4.6% of GDP (FY01)

North Korea 31.3% (no typo) of GDP (FY01)

South Korea 2.8% of GDP (FY00)

China 3.5% to 5.0% of GDP for 2002

In absolute terms NK spends 26% of SK with an economy 2.36 % as big.

Russia not available.

The article is somewhat misleading as you can see. The USA is not spending an outrageous portion of our GDP on defense. Our superiority in absolute terms comes from having the world's most powerful economy not the highest relative rate of spending. Our economic and military might go hand in hand. The article seems to miss this and the fact that the US has been outperforming Europe economically.

Russia and NK demonstrate what trying to match another economy's military spending on absolute terms does when your economy is no match. It is unlikely the US will be eclipsed anytime soon and only China or India are likely to do that due to sheer size and critical mass of skilled scientists.

Regards,
Mark (just couldn't resist) Eby