This marks the 11th consecutive year of growth, with military spending's share of global GDP rising to 2.5 percent, the highest level since 2009. Although the annual growth rate was weaker than in 2024, when it stood at 9.7 percent, SIPRI notes that the slowdown is primarily due to a decline in U.S. spending, while spending outside the U.S. increased by 9.2 percent.
The three largest military spenders—the U.S., China, and Russia—together spent $1.48 trillion, accounting for 51 percent of total global spending. In 2025, the U.S. allocated $954 billion, a 7.5 percent decrease from the previous year, mainly because no new financial military aid for Ukraine was approved during the year. At the same time, Washington increased investments in nuclear and conventional capabilities aimed at deterring China in the Indo-Pacific.
Europe contributed the most to global growth, with military spending rising 14 percent to $864 billion. Russia allocated $190 billion, up 5.9 percent, while Ukraine increased spending by 20 percent to $84.1 billion, equivalent to 40 percent of its GDP.
Total spending by 29 European NATO members reached $559 billion, with 22 countries surpassing the 2 percent of GDP threshold according to SIPRI's methodology.
In Asia and Oceania, spending grew by 8.1 percent to $681 billion, the largest increase since 2009. China increased spending to $336 billion, Japan to $62.2 billion, and Taiwan to $18.2 billion. In the Middle East, total military spending remained nearly unchanged at an estimated $218 billion.