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Global Military Spending Hits Record $2.7 Trillion in 2024, Driven by Conflicts and Tensions

A 9.4% increase marks the steepest annual rise since 1988, with the U.S. and China accounting for nearly half of all expenditures.

Overview

  • The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reports a 9.4% rise in global military spending in 2024, reaching $2.718 trillion, the largest annual increase since the Cold War era.
  • The United States leads global defense spending at $997 billion, while China follows with $314 billion, reflecting a 7% increase from the previous year.
  • European nations boosted their collective military budgets by 17% to $693 billion, largely due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and concerns over regional security.
  • Russia's military spending surged by 38% to $149 billion, while Ukraine dedicated 34% of its GDP to defense, spending $64.7 billion in 2024.
  • NATO members collectively raised military expenditures, with a record 18 nations meeting the 2% GDP target, highlighting alliance-wide efforts to bolster defense capabilities.