Key facts
- Global military spending reached nearly $2.9 trillion in 2025.
- The U.S. spent $954 billion on defense in 2025.
- China's defense budget was approximately $336 billion.
- Ukraine ranked seventh globally with military spending of roughly $84 billion.
- India's military budget surpassed $92 billion.
- Japan's spending exceeded $62 billion.
Global military spending reached nearly $2.9 trillion in 2025, with spending heavily concentrated among a few nations. The United States led with $954 billion, accounting for roughly one-third of the global total and more than the next three countries combined. China was the second-largest spender at approximately $336 billion, followed by Russia. European countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Poland, and Spain, significantly increased their defense budgets, reflecting heightened security concerns following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine ranked seventh globally with military spending of about $84 billion due to the ongoing conflict. In Asia, India's military budget surpassed $92 billion, making it the fifth-largest spender, while Japan's spending exceeded $62 billion as it pursues its largest military buildup since World War II. These increases in Asia-Pacific spending are driven by intensifying regional competition.