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April13–May 12

Global Days of Action on Military Spending – April 13-May 12, 2024

Global Days of Action on Military Spending takes place in mid-April as part of the awareness month every year. This year, it takes place from April 13 to May 12, with the day being determined by reports on military spending. It aims to bring people across the continents to focus public, political, and media attention on the costs of military spending and the need for new priorities. Annually international spending on weapons rises faster than the inflation rate and GDP, which is concerning. This is exactly what the Global Day of Action on Military Spending (GDAMS) groups around the world aims to achieve – to advocate a shift of budget priorities and promote spending of the excess budget money on human development.

History of Global Days of Action on Military Spending

The Global Day of Action on Military Spending was established by the International Peace Bureau (IPB) in December 2014. The Global Campaign on Military Spending is a permanent, year-round campaign to tackle the worldwide issue of excessive military spending. This campaign also incorporates the Global Day of Action on Military Spending (GDAMS).

The organizers of the Global Day of Action on Military Spending designed it in such a way that this holiday coincides with the release of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s (SIPRI) annual figures on World military expenditures. So, this day usually occurs in the middle of April or early May. The effect of high spending on military budgets across the globe not just includes the direct ones of the money and resources being spent on violence and weapon systems instead of being used for human development and positive developments, but also includes the consequences of testing, research, development and even the safe decommissioning of these weapons. This becomes critical – especially if the weapons are nuclear, chemical, or biological.

Various organizations across the globe organize awareness-raising events during GDAMS to highlight how much money different countries spend on their military. So, in these times, where numerous crises are destroying the planet such as economic, environmental, health, and diplomatic crises, we need a global movement like the Global Day of Action on Military Spending to shift this money to human needs.

Global Days of Action on Military Spending timeline

2011
The Surge of Military Spending

Global military spending surges to $1.74 trillion.

2011
The First GDAMS

The International Peace Bureau (I.P.B.) established the first GDAMS.

2014
The First Global Campaign on Military Spending

The I.P.B. launches the first global campaign on military spending.

2020
The All-Time High Spending

Global military spending reaches an all-time high of nearly $2 trillion.

Global Days of Action on Military Spending FAQs

How much does the U.S. spend on military every day?

An astonishing statistic tells that the U.S. spends more than $2 billion every day on the military and more than $1 million every minute.

Which country has the most military spending?

The country that has the most military spending is the U.S., followed closely by China, India, and Russia.

Does military spending good for the economy?

Although many experts claim that military spending stimulated economic growth, excessive spending on the military is not welcomed by many experts. This is because it slows down economic growth.

How to Observe Global Days of Action on Military Spending

  1. Spread the word

    The best way in which you can celebrate Global Day of Action on Military Spending is by spreading to the world the enormous money spent globally on the military budget. Make people aware that their representatives in government should be accountable. Our apathy will increase the problem.

  2. Organize events

    You can invite your friends, family, and colleagues and organize awareness events in your society to spread awareness about global military spending. Awareness leads to action and will bring results.

  3. Join the GDAMS events

    On the Global Day of Action on Military Spending, many human welfare enthusiasts across the world come together and organize several events. You can take part in these events and show your support.

5 Amazing Facts About Military Spending

  1. The U.S. is the highest spender

    The U.S. spends more on its military than many other countries combined.

  2. The biggest spenders

    The five biggest military spenders in 2020 were the U.S., China, India, Russia, and the UK.

  3. South America gets it

    The military expenditure in South America fell by 2.1% in 2020.

  4. Money to burn

    In 2007, the amount of money labeled ‘wasted’ in Iraq was a whopping $11 billion.

  5. It is expensive

    The yearly cost of stationing one U.S. soldier in Iraq could feed 60 U.S. households.

Why Global Days of Action on Military Spending is Important

  1. It is a much-needed day

    In today’s world violence and war are ruining many lives. That makes it hard to live for many people, so meaningful holidays like Global Day of Action on Military Spending are much-needed.

  2. It spreads positivity

    This awareness day is a positive day. It aims to raise awareness not only about global military spending but also about human welfare and other pressing issues of the world.

  3. It impacts everyone

    The Global Day of Action on Military Spending is one of those holidays that impacts almost everyone on this planet. Every extra penny spent on a country’s military budget could have been spent on something much better.

Global Days of Action on Military Spending dates

YearDateDay
2022April 13Wednesday
2023April 13Thursday
2024April 13Saturday
2025April 13Sunday
2026April 13Monday

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