Analysis
Data-led explainers on military spending — how defense budgets compare between countries, how they have moved over time, and what the figures do and do not measure.
Baltic States Defense Spending 2025: $5.8bn Total
The Baltic states together spent $5.8bn on defense in 2025, with Lithuania leading the group at $2.7bn.
Asia Military Spending 2025: $671.9bn Total by Country
Asia & Oceania military spending reached $671.9bn in 2025, 24.5% of the world total, led by China at $335.0bn.
Europe Defense Spending 2024: $717.5bn Total
Europe's 44 SIPRI-reporting countries spent a combined $717.5bn on defense in 2024, equal to 26.9% of world military spending.
Middle East Defense Spending 2025: $157.5bn Total
The Middle East spent $157.5bn on defense in 2025, 5.7% of world military spending, led by Saudi Arabia at $81.5bn.
Europe Military Spending 2024: $717.5bn Total
Europe's 44 countries spent a combined $717.5bn on defense in 2024, equal to 26.9% of world military spending, with Russia the largest single spender at $149.4bn.
Europe Military Spending 2026: $857.8bn Total
Europe's 43 tracked countries spent an estimated $857.8bn on defense in 2026, equal to 29.6% of world military spending.
Europe Military Expenditure 2025: $816.9bn Total
Europe's 44 tracked countries spent a combined $816.9bn on defense in 2025, 29.8% of global military expenditure.
Europe Military Spending by Country, 2025 ($816.9bn)
Europe's 44 countries spent a combined $816.9bn on defense in 2025, 29.8% of the world total, with Russia the largest single spender at $158.2bn.
World Military Spending 2024: $2,666.6bn Across 151 Countries
World military spending reached $2,666.6bn in 2024, our calculation from SIPRI's 151-country dataset shows.
Europe Defense Spending 2025: $816.9bn Total
Europe's 44 SIPRI-tracked countries spent a combined $816.9bn on defense in 2025, equal to 29.8% of world military expenditure.
Africa Military Spending 2025: $55.1bn Total, by Country
A country-by-country look at how much Africa's 47 SIPRI-tracked states spent on defense in 2025, and who drives the regional total.
EU Military Spending 2024: $360.2bn, 13.5% of World Total
The 27 European Union members spent a combined $360.2bn on defense in 2024, equal to 13.5% of world military spending.
Military Spending in Africa 2025: $55.1bn Total
Africa's 47 tracked countries spent a combined $55.1bn on their militaries in 2025, equal to 2% of world military spending.
NATO Military Spending 2024: $1,515.0bn Total
NATO's 32 member states spent a combined $1,515.0bn on defense in 2024, equal to 56.8% of world military spending.
EU Total Defense Spending 2025: $430.4bn Combined
The 27 members of the European Union spent a combined $430.4bn on defense in 2025, equal to 15.7% of world military spending.
Europe Military Spending 2025: $816.9bn Across 44 Countries
Europe's 44 tracked countries spent a combined $816.9bn on defense in 2025, with Russia the region's largest single spender at $158.2bn.
Global Military Spending 2026: $2,894.4bn Across 153 Countries
Global military spending reached an estimated $2,894.4bn in 2026, with the United States accounting for 33.7% of that total.
How Much Does the EU Spend on Defense in 2025?
The 27 European Union member states spent a combined $430.4bn on defense in 2025, equal to 15.7% of global military expenditure.
EU Military Spending 2026: $451.9bn Total
The 27 current European Union members spent a combined $451.9bn on their militaries in 2026, an estimated 15.6% of world military spending.
Global Military Spending 2024: $2,666.6bn Worldwide
In 2024 the world spent $2,666.6bn on the military across 151 countries, with the United States alone accounting for 37.7% of that total.
Military Spending in the 1980s: Up 34.3% by 1989
Across the 93 countries with continuous SIPRI data for the decade, military spending climbed 34.3%, from $1,027.7bn in 1980 to $1,380.7bn in 1989.
US Military Spending History: $929.2bn in 2025
US military spending stood at $929.2bn in 2025, 7.5% below the prior year and still short of its 2010 peak of $1,061.7bn.
World Military Spending 2025: $2,740.0bn Total
World military spending totaled $2,740.0bn in 2025, with the top five countries — led by the United States at 33.9% — accounting for 59.2% of the global total.
US Military Spending After 9/11: $929.2bn in 2025
US military spending was $929.2bn in 2025, down from a post-9/11-era peak of $1,061.7bn in 2010.
Military Spending in the 1950s: $284.2bn to $652.6bn
From 1950 to 1959, combined military spending across a fixed panel of 19 countries with continuous SIPRI data rose from $284.2bn to $652.6bn, a 129.6% increase.
NATO Military Spending 2026: $1,597.0bn, 55.2% of World Total
31 of NATO's 32 members spent $1,597.0bn on defense in 2026 — 55.2% of world military spending, calculated from SIPRI's country-level data.
Global Military Spending 2025: $2.74 Trillion Worldwide
The United States spent $929.2bn in 2025, 33.9% of a $2,740.0bn world total calculated from SIPRI's 149 country-level series.
Japan Defense Spending Increase: 2021–2025 (+40.7%)
Japan's military expenditure grew 40.7%, from $42.3bn in 2021 to $59.5bn in 2025, in SIPRI constant 2024 US dollars.
Military Spending Since the Cold War, 1991–2025: +84.8%
Across the 98 countries with continuous SIPRI data, military spending rose 84.8%, from $1,324.1bn in 1991 to $2,446.4bn in 2025.
NATO Total Military Spending 2025: $1,520.9bn
NATO's 32 member states spent a combined $1,520.9bn on defense in 2025, equal to 55.5% of world military spending.
US Military Spending by President: $929.2bn in 2025
US military spending stood at $929.2bn in 2025, still below its $1,061.7bn peak reached in 2010.
Why Europe Is Rearming: Spending Hit $816.9bn in 2025
Russia became Europe's top individual defense spender and Ukraine broke into the regional top tier, as combined European military spending rose 74.6% between 2021 and 2025.
China Real Military Spending 2025: $335.0bn (SIPRI)
SIPRI's constant-dollar estimate puts China's real military spending at $335.0bn in 2025, equal to 1.72% of GDP.
EU Total Military Spending 2025: $430.4bn
The 27 European Union members spent a combined $430.4bn on their militaries in 2025, equal to 15.7% of world military spending.
European Defense Spending Rose to $816.9bn in 2025
European defense spending climbed from $468.0bn in 2021 to $816.9bn in 2025, a roughly 75% rise, according to our calculation from SIPRI country-level data.
Where Does Canada Rank in Military Spending? (2025)
Canada ranks 16th out of 149 countries in 2025 military spending, at $37.5bn, or 1.4% of the world total.
Cold War Military Spending: 1991–2025, Up 84.8%
Across the same 98 countries tracked continuously since the Cold War's end, military spending climbed 84.8%, from $1,324.1bn in 1991 to $2,446.4bn in 2025.
EU vs Russia Military Spending 2025: $430.4bn vs $158.2bn
In 2025 the 27 members of the European Union spent a combined $430.4bn on defense, 2.7 times Russia's $158.2bn.
Europe Military Spending: $468bn to $816.9bn (2021-2025)
Europe's military spending climbed from $468.0bn in 2021 to $816.9bn in 2025, a rise driven largely by Russia and Germany.
How Big Is the US Defense Budget? $929.2bn in 2025
The United States spent an estimated $929.2bn on its military in 2025, according to SIPRI data — 3.12% of GDP and roughly a third of all global military spending.
Countries Increasing Military Spending Most, 2025
China recorded the largest year-on-year military spending increase of any country in 2025, up $23.1bn, a 7.4% rise on 2024.
Defense Spending as % of GDP by Country (2025)
Ukraine spent the most on its military relative to its economy in 2025, at 39.56% of GDP, followed by Algeria at 8.83% and Israel at 7.81%.
Europe Defense Spending 2025: $816.9bn Across 44 Countries
Europe's 44 countries spent a combined $816.9bn on defense in 2025 — 29.8% of the world total, with Russia the single largest spender at $158.2bn.
European Rearmament: Europe Defense Spending Hits $816.9bn (2025)
Europe's collective military spending rose from $468.0bn in 2021 to $816.9bn in 2025, with Russia now the region's single largest spender at $158.2bn.
How Much Does NATO Spend on Defense? ($1.5tn, 2025)
NATO's 32 members spent a combined $1,520.9bn on defense in 2025, equal to 55.5% of world military spending.
Military Spending as % of GDP by Country (2025)
Ukraine leads the world in military burden, spending 39.56% of GDP on defense in 2025, followed by Algeria at 8.83% and Israel at 7.81%.
NATO Countries Not Meeting the 2% Target in 2025
In 2025, 22 of NATO's 32 members met the alliance's 2%-of-GDP defense spending target, leaving 10 — including Canada, Czech Republic and Iceland — below it.
NATO Military Spending 2025: $1,520.9bn Total
NATO's 32 members spent a combined $1,520.9bn in 2025, equal to 55.5% of world military spending.
NATO vs Russia Military Spending 2025: $1.52tn vs $158bn
NATO's 32 members spent a combined $1,520.9bn on defense in 2025, versus Russia's $158.2bn — a 9.6-to-1 ratio.
Total US Military Spending 2025: $929.2bn, 3.12% of GDP
The US spent $929.2bn on its military in 2025 per SIPRI — 3.12% of GDP, #1 globally, and down 7.5% from 2024.
US Military Spending vs Other Countries, 2025
In 2025 the United States ranks 1st of 149 countries in military spending, at $929.2bn, or 33.9% of the world total.
US Military Spending History: $929.2bn in 2025, Peak 2010
US military spending totaled $929.2bn in 2025 — 12.4% below its all-time peak of $1,061.7bn set in 2010.
US Military Spending vs the Rest of the World, 2025
In 2025 the United States spent $929.2bn on its military, 33.9% of the world total, and it takes the next 7 countries combined ($940.2bn) to equal that figure.
World Military Spending: The Global Total in 2025
The world spent at least $2,740.0bn on its military in 2025, up 2.8% on 2024, and five countries account for 59.2% of it.