Global military spending will reach a record of almost 2.9 trillion dollars (2.48 billion euros) in 2025. It was the 11th consecutive annual increase, fueled by conflict and geopolitical tensions, according to an annual report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) published on Monday. TASR informs about it according to the APF agency.
- Global military spending in 2025 will reach a record of nearly $2.9 trillion.
- European countries increased military spending by 14 percent to $864 billion.
The United States, China, and Russia spent the most on their militaries, spending a total of $1.48 trillion.
US and military spending
Compared to 2024, world military spending rose 2.9 percent after adjusting for inflation, despite a decline in the U.S. that was offset by increases in Europe and Asia, the report showed.
The US spent 954 billion dollars last year, which is 7.5 percent less than in 2024. The reason is mainly the failure to approve new military aid to Ukraine in 2025. However, it is expected to increase again, because Congress approved a trillion dollars for 2026, which could increase to 1.5 trillion in 2027 if President Donald Trump’s budget proposal is passed.
European military investments
The main “engine” of the global increase was Europe, where spending increased by 14 percent to 864 billion dollars (738 billion euros).
Germany, the fourth-highest spending country, boosted military spending by 24 percent to $114 billion. Spain saw a 50 percent increase to $40.2 billion, bringing its military spending above two percent of GDP for the first time since 1994.
Russia and Ukraine
Russia and Ukraine also spent more money on military purposes. Russia’s spending increased by 5.9 percent to $190 billion, which was 7.5 percent of GDP. Ukraine boosted spending by 20 percent to 84.1 billion, i.e. up to 40 percent of GDP.
In the Middle East, despite ongoing tensions, military spending rose only slightly by 0.1 percent to a total of $218 billion. Most countries increased them, but Israel and Iran saw reductions.
Middle East and Asia
In Iran, spending fell 5.6 percent to $7.4 billion, but this is due to high annual inflation of 42 percent. In nominal terms, this funding would increase.
Israel’s 4.9 percent drop to $48.3 billion reflects the reduced intensity of the war in the Gaza Strip after the January 2025 ceasefire, the authors of the SIPRI report explained, but pointed out that Israeli spending was still 97 percent higher than in 2022.
In the Asia and Oceania region, military spending reached $681 billion, an increase of 8.5 percent from 2024. China, whose spending has grown annually for three decades, spent an estimated $336 billion on its military last year.
Japan increased military spending by 9.7 percent to $62.2 billion, or 1.4 percent of GDP – the highest share since 1958. Taiwan boosted its spending by 14 percent to $18.2 billion.
