Global military expenditure reached an unprecedented $2.718 trillion in 2024, a 9.4% increase from 2023 and the sharpest annual rise since the end of the Cold War, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). This surge, the 10th consecutive year of growth, reflects heightened geopolitical tensions and ongoing conflicts, with all world regions increasing defense budgets. Europe and the Middle East saw particularly rapid growth, driven by Russia’s war in Ukraine and escalating regional conflicts. The global military burden—military spending as a share of GDP—rose to 2.5%, raising concerns about economic and social trade-offs.
The top five spenders—the United States ($997 billion), China ($314 billion), Russia ($149 billion), Germany ($88.5 billion), and India ($86.1 billion)—accounted for 60% of the global total, totaling $1.635 trillion. The U.S., representing 37% of world spending, allocated significant funds to modernizing its nuclear arsenal and advanced military capabilities to maintain strategic superiority over Russia and China. “Over 100 countries raised military spending in 2024, often prioritizing defense over other budget areas,” said Xiao Liang, a researcher with SIPRI’s Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme. “The long-term economic and social impacts could be profound.”
Europe’s military spending surged 17% to $693 billion, surpassing Cold War levels and becoming the primary driver of the global increase. Russia’s expenditure jumped 38% to $149 billion, or 7.1% of its GDP, doubling its 2015 level. Ukraine, allocating all tax revenues to defense, spent $64.7 billion—43% of Russia’s total and 34% of its GDP, the highest military burden worldwide. “Ukraine’s fiscal space is extremely tight, making further increases challenging,” noted Diego Lopes da Silva, a SIPRI senior researcher.
In Central and Western Europe, spending soared as countries implemented new procurement plans and NATO commitments. Germany’s 28% increase to $88.5 billion, fueled by a €100 billion special defense fund, made it the region’s top spender and the world’s fourth largest. Poland’s spending rose 31% to $38 billion, or 4.2% of GDP. All NATO members increased budgets, with total alliance spending reaching $1.506 trillion—55% of the global total. Eighteen of NATO’s 32 members met the 2% GDP spending target, up from 11 in 2023, the highest since the guideline’s adoption in 2014. “European NATO members’ rapid increases stem from Russia’s threat and concerns about potential U.S. disengagement,” said SIPRI researcher Jade Guiberteau Ricard.
In the Middle East, military spending climbed 15% to $243 billion. Israel’s expenditure surged 65% to $46.5 billion, or 8.8% of GDP, the steepest rise since 1967, driven by conflicts in Gaza and with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Lebanon’s spending rose 58% to $635 million amid economic and political turmoil. Iran, limited by sanctions, saw a 10% drop to $7.9 billion. “Major spending increases were largely confined to Israel and Lebanon,” said SIPRI researcher Zubaida Karim.
In Asia and Oceania, China’s 7% increase to $314 billion marked three decades of consecutive growth, accounting for half the region’s spending. Japan’s 21% rise to $55.3 billion was its largest since 1952, while India’s spending grew 1.6% to $86.1 billion. Myanmar’s 66% surge to $5 billion reflected escalating internal conflicts. “Rising investments in advanced capabilities risk an arms-race spiral in the Asia-Pacific,” warned Nan Tian, SIPRI programme director.
Africa’s spending rose 3% to $52.1 billion, while Mexico’s 39% increase to $16.7 billion supported its fight against organized crime. With global tensions fueling unprecedented defense budgets, SIPRI experts caution that unchecked spending could destabilize regions and strain economies, urging careful consideration of long-term consequences.
Source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, April 2025