In 2022-23, Defence Spending Accounted For 14.08% Of Total Government Spending

Defence spending accounted for 14.08 per cent of total central government spending in 2022-23, Parliament was informed on Monday.

According to data shared in a written response by Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt in Rajya Sabha, the expenditure-related data for 2022-23 referred to budget estimate figures.

According to the data provided by the government in the response, the defence expenditure was 5,55,484 crore, while the central government expenditure was 39,44,909 crore for the fiscal year 2022-23.

For 2020-21, defence expenditure was 5,23,330 crore, while central government expenditure was 35,09,836 crore, a 14.91 per cent difference.

According to the data, defence spending was 3,27,096 crore in 2015-16, while central government spending was 17,90,783 crore, for a percentage of 18.27 per cent.

“According to the data above, Defence Expenditure as a percentage of Central Government Expenditure may appear to be decreasing due to the increasing trend in Central Government Expenditure growth. However, defence spending is rising in absolute terms, implying increased spending,” the minister said in response.