War has always been a costly endeavour, and World War Two was the most expensive war in human history. The economic cost of this war has greatly changed the world by altering the power structure of the world. World War Two lasted 6 years and it was the most expensive war in the history. Adjusted for inflation to today’s dollars, the war cost over $4 trillion.
Wartime Expenditures during the Second World War 1939-1945 in Billions USD
Country |
Billions USD |
United States of America |
$ 341.491 |
Germany |
$ 270.000 |
Soviet Union |
$ 192.000 |
China |
$ 190.000 |
United Kingdom |
$ 120.000 |
Canada |
$ 15.680 |
Italy |
$ 94.000 |
Japan |
$ 56.000 |
France |
$ 15.000 |
Belgium |
$ 3.250 |
Poland |
$ 1.550 |
Netherlands |
$ 0.925 |
Latin American countries (total) |
$ 1.000 |
Greece |
$ 0.220 |
Yugoslavia |
$ 0.200 |
Total |
$ 1,301.316 |
The table above outline the approximate expenditures of various world nations during World War II. The U.S.A. spent the most on the war, just over 340 billion dollars. All together, this table, which includes more than 15 countries and its allies, totals 1,301.316 billion dollars.
Neera Sahni, Research Services Leader, Parramatta Heritage Centre, City of Parramatta, 2020
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