Global military spending rose by 2.9% in 2025 to exceed $2.8 trillion, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The increase marks the 11th consecutive year of growth, although the pace slowed compared with 2024, when spending rose by 9.7%. The deceleration was primarily driven by a reduction in US defence outlays.
Military spending as a share of global GDP reached 2.5%—the highest level since 2009. Around 80% of total expenditure—about $2.3 trillion—was concentrated in 15 countries, while 58% ($1.6 trillion) came from just five: the United States, China, Russia, Germany, and India.
The United States remained in first place with $954 billion, though its spending declined by 7.5% compared with the previous year. SIPRI links this in part to the absence of new military aid packages for Ukraine throughout 2025, although it considers the decline temporary.
Russia’s military spending increased by 5.9% to $190 billion, allowing it to retain third place behind the United States and China. This marks the slowest growth since the start of the full-scale war against Ukraine. For comparison, spending stood at $149 billion in 2024, having risen by 38% from 2023. The burden on the economy remains high—7.5% of GDP and around 20% of total government expenditure.
Ukraine ranked seventh: its military spending rose by 20% to $84.1 billion, equivalent to roughly 40% of GDP.
SIPRI notes that the main driver of global military spending growth in 2025 was the increase in Europe. In total, 29 NATO member states on the continent spent $559 billion on defence, with 22 of them allocating at least 2% of GDP.
Germany led the European increase, ranking fourth globally: its military spending rose by 24% to $114 billion. For the first time since 1990, the country’s defence budget exceeded 2% of GDP, reaching 2.3%. Spain also recorded a sharp rise, increasing its spending to $40.2 billion—up 50% from the previous year.
“In 2025, military spending by European NATO members grew faster than at any time since 1953, reflecting Europe’s continued push for greater self-reliance alongside rising pressure from the United States to share the burden within the alliance,” said SIPRI researcher Jade Guiberteau Ricard.