Global military spending reached a record $2,887 billion in 2025, despite a decrease in U.S. spending. Europe led the increase, driven by Germany, now the continent’s top investor.
Global military spending rose by 2.9% to reach $2,887 billion in 2025, marking the eleventh consecutive year of growth. This increase was significantly lower than the 9.7% recorded in 2024 and represents the slowest annual growth rate since 2021, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Over the decade from 2016 to 2025, global spending increased by 41%.
In Europe, defense investments in 2025 increased by 14% – more than any other continent – reaching €739 billion. This is the largest increase since the 1950s as many NATO members aim to reach the new target of 5% of GDP spending by 2035.
Germany surpassed the UK, becoming Europe’s top defense investor and the world’s fourth, behind the U.S. ($954 billion), China ($336 billion), and Russia ($190 billion).
In Spain, typically an underperformer in NATO, military spending jumped by 50%, reaching the alliance 2% GDP target for the first time since the early 90s.
Top 20 countries with highest military spending in 2025 (in billions of U.S. dollars): 1. United States: 954 2. China: 336 3. Russia: 190 4. Germany: 114 5. India: 92.1 6. United Kingdom: 89 7. Ukraine: 84.1 8. Saudi Arabia: 83.2 9. France: 68 10. Japan: 62.2 11. Israel: 48.3 12. Italy: 48.1 13. South Korea: 47.8 14. Poland: 46.8 15. Spain: 40.2 16. Canada: 37.5 17. Australia: 35.3 18. Turkey: 30 19. Netherlands: 28.9 20. Algeria: 25.4
Note: Military spending includes all public expenditures related to armed forces, including salaries, operational costs, armament acquisition, construction, research, and administration.
Context: Global military spending has been on the rise, driven by various geopolitical factors and evolving security concerns. Germany’s emergence as a leading defense investor reflects shifting dynamics within European defense policies.
Fact Check: The figures for military spending are accurate as reported by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) and relevant sources.
