US cuts, global military spending up 2.9%
- Stockholm International Peace Research Institute data showed global military spending rose 2.9% in 2025 to $2.887 trillion, despite a sharp U.S. decline. - U.S. military spending fell 7.5% to $954 billion, while Europe rose 14% to $864 billion and Asia-Oceania increased 8.1% to $681 billion. - The increase was the 11th straight annual rise, though slower than 2024’s 9.7% jump. (sipri.org)
Global military spending rose to $2.887 trillion in 2025, even as U.S. military outlays fell 7.5%, according to new Stockholm International Peace Research Institute data. (sipri.org) The institute said world military expenditure increased 2.9% in real terms in 2025, marking the 11th consecutive annual increase and the highest level it has recorded. (sipri.org) The United States remained the world’s biggest military spender at $954 billion, but its spending dropped after no new financial assistance for Ukraine was approved during 2025. China stayed second at an estimated $336 billion, up 7.4%. (sipri.org) (cnbc.com) Europe did most of the offsetting. Military spending there rose 14% to $864 billion in 2025, while Asia and Oceania increased 8.1% to $681 billion. (sipri.org) That left total global spending still climbing, but at a slower pace than in 2024, when SIPRI recorded a 9.7% increase. The world’s military burden rose from 2.4% to 2.5% of global gross domestic product. (sipri.org) The five biggest spenders in 2025 were the United States, China, Russia, Germany and India, and together they accounted for 58% of world military spending. The top three alone accounted for 51%. (sipri.org) Russia increased military spending 5.9% to an estimated $190 billion, or 7.5% of its gross domestic product. Ukraine raised spending 20% to an estimated $84.1 billion, equal to 40% of its gross domestic product. (sipri.org) Germany spent $114 billion in 2025 after a 24% increase, making it Europe’s largest military spender excluding Russia. Spain’s spending jumped 50% to $40.2 billion, pushing it above 2% of gross domestic product for the first time since NATO adopted that target in 1994. (cnbc.com) SIPRI said military expenditure grew in every world region except the Americas. Spending by the 32 NATO members totaled $1.581 trillion, or 55% of the global total. (sipri.org) The result is a year in which a U.S. pullback did not reverse the broader trend. Europe’s rearmament and continued growth in Asia kept global military spending at a record high. (sipri.org)
