Global military spending surged to a record $2.887 trillion in 2025, marking the eleventh consecutive year of growth and pushing worldwide defense outlays to their highest level in more than a decade, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The increase, driven by escalating conflicts, geopolitical tensions and widespread rearmament, lifted the global military burden to 2.5% of GDP, its highest share since 2009.
Europe was the main engine behind the global rise, with sharp increases across NATO members as governments accelerated military modernization programs in response to the war in Ukraine and concerns about long-term security guarantees from the United States, CNBC reported.
Across Europe, military spending jumped 14% in 2025 to $864 billion. SIPRI said European NATO members increased budgets at their fastest pace since 1953, reflecting both the war in Ukraine and growing pressure to meet new alliance spending targets. Of the 29 European NATO members, 22 now meet or exceed the 2% of GDP benchmark.
Germany led the region in absolute terms, increasing spending by 24% to $114 billion, pushing its military burden to 2.3% of GDP for the first time since reunification. Spain recorded a 50% increase to $40.2 billion, while Belgium saw the steepest rise in Europe, with defense spending jumping 59% to $14.5 billion, according to SIPRI data cited across reports.
The U.S. remained the world's largest military spender despite a 7.5% decline in 2025, bringing its total to $954 billion. SIPRI attributed the drop largely to the absence of new military aid packages for Ukraine, which had previously boosted spending. However, U.S. investment in nuclear and conventional capabilities continued, and future budgets are expected to rise again.
China remained the second-largest spender globally, increasing its military budget by 7.4% to $336 billion and continuing a 31-year streak of annual growth as it advances long-term modernization goals. Russia increased spending by 5.9% to $190 billion as the war in Ukraine continued into its fourth year.
The Ukraine war remained a major driver of global military expenditure. Ukraine increased defense spending by 20% to $84.1 billion, equivalent to around 40% of GDP, making it the highest military burden in the world. It also received $52.2 billion in international military aid, largely from European partners, according to SIPRI.
Global military spending is now at levels not seen in 16 years, with the United States, China, Russia, Germany and India together accounting for 58% of total global expenditure, CNN noted in its SIPRI report coverage.
Asia and Oceania saw the fastest regional growth outside Europe, with spending rising 8.1% to $681 billion. Japan increased its military budget by 9.7% to $62.2 billion, its highest share of GDP since 1958, while Taiwan raised spending by 14% amid rising tensions with China. SIPRI noted that U.S. allies in the region are expanding defense budgets amid uncertainty over long-term American support.
In the Middle East, spending remained broadly stable at $218 billion. Israel's military expenditure fell slightly to $48.3 billion following reduced conflict intensity in Gaza after a ceasefire, while Saudi Arabia remained the region's largest spender at $83.2 billion.
