Global military spending reached around $2.89 trillion in 2025, rising 2.9% from 2024, as countries across Europe and Asia ramped up their defense budgets while the United States reduced its budget, according to data released Monday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The report shows that governments increased military outlays for the 11th consecutive year, pushing the global military burden to 2.5% of GDP, its highest level since 2009. Europe led the surge with a 14% increase to $864 billion, driven by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and expanded NATO spending targets. Asia and Oceania followed with an 8.1% rise to $681 billion, marking the region’s fastest growth since 2009.
The United States, the world’s largest military spender, reduced its expenditures by 7.5% to $954 billion after lawmakers approved no new military aid for Ukraine in 2025. Despite the decline, Washington continued investing heavily in nuclear and conventional capabilities to counter China and maintain strategic dominance.
Together, the U.S., China, and Russia accounted for $1.48 trillion in spending, or 51% of the global total. China increased its military budget by 7.4% to $336 billion, extending a three-decade trend of annual growth, while Russia raised spending by 5.9% to $190 billion as its war effort continued. Ukraine boosted its military budget by 20% to $84.1 billion, equivalent to 40% of its GDP.
European NATO members collectively spent $559 billion. Germany’s budget jumped 24% to $114 billion, pushing its military spending above 2% of GDP for the first time since 1990. Spain also crossed that threshold after increasing spending by 50%.
In the Middle East, total military expenditures stayed fairly stable at $218 billion. Israel cut spending by 4.9% following a reduction in fighting intensity in Gaza after a ceasefire in early 2025, while Türkiye increased its budget by 7.2% amid ongoing operations abroad. Iran’s spending fell in real terms, adjusted for inflation.
Elsewhere, India increased its military budget by 8.9% to $92.1 billion, while Pakistan raised spending by 11%. Africa recorded an 8.5% increase to $58.2 billion, with Nigeria’s expenditure surging 55% as security threats intensified.
SIPRI researchers attributed the continued rise in global military spending to persistent conflicts, geopolitical tensions, and long-term rearmament strategies, warning that the upward trend will likely continue into 2026 and beyond.
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