Full Breakdown
Record Global Military Spending in 2025
4/28/2026, 6:13:41 AM
Record-High Expenditure
In 2025 global military outlays hit a new peak of $2.887-$2.9 trillion, a 2.9 % rise over 2024 and the highest share of world GDP since 2009. Growth continued despite a 7.5 % fall in U.S. spending.
Drivers of the Surge
Europe drove the increase, with defence budgets up 14 % to $864 billion; NATO members Belgium (+59 %), Spain (+50 %) and Germany (+24 %) led the rise. Asia-Oceania spending grew 8.1 % to $681 billion, powered by China, Japan and Taiwan. SIPRI cites Ukraine war and a “Trump factor” that pushes allies to fund security.
Data & Statistics
- Top five spenders: US $954bn, China $336bn, Russia $190bn, Germany $114bn, India $92bn (58 % of total).
- Regional totals: Europe $864bn, Asia-Oceania $681bn, Middle East $218bn, Africa $58bn.
- Ukraine 40 % of GDP, Russia 7.5 % of GDP; global military burden 2.5 % of GDP.
Official Statements & Responses
SIPRI researchers say the rise shows “states responding to another year of wars, uncertainty and geopolitical upheaval” (Xiao Liang). European NATO members “rose faster than at any time since 1953” (Jade Guiberteau Ricard). Russia and Ukraine “recorded the highest share of government spending on the military” (Lorenzo Scarazzato). Nan Tian calls the U.S. decline “likely to be short-lived” after a $1 trillion 2026 budget.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts say reduced U.S. aid has spurred “creative accounting” in Europe, e.g., Italy’s bridge-construction claim to meet NATO targets. German spending rose sharply but “does not translate into a proportional rise in capability” (Xiao Liang). A broader arms buildup “reduces trust and raises the risk of miscalculation,” warning of a new arms race.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources list the global total as $2.887 trillion, $2.89 trillion or $2.9 trillion, and NATO’s disaggregated figures are not publicly detailed, limiting verification.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Global military spending rose again in 2025 as states responded to another year of wars, uncertainty and geopolitical upheaval with large-scale armament drives,” — Xiao Liang, SIPRI researcher
- “In 2025 military spending by European NATO members rose faster than at any time since 1953, reflecting the ongoing pursuit of European self-reliance alongside increasing pressure from the United States to strengthen burden sharing within the alliance,” — Jade Guiberteau Ricard, SIPRI researcher
- “Their spending is likely to keep growing in 2026 if the war continues, with revenues from Russia’s oil sales increasing and a major European Union loan expected by Ukraine.” — Lorenzo Scarazzato, SIPRI researcher
- “The decline in US military expenditure in 2025 is likely to be short-lived,” — Nan Tian, SIPRI programme director
What’s Next
The U.S. Congress approved over $1 trillion for 2026 and a $1.5 trillion proposal for 2027. NATO seeks a 5 % of GDP target by 2035. SIPRI warns the growth “will probably continue through 2026 and beyond” as crises persist.
