According to a report released Monday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), worldwide military expenditure rose 2.9% in real terms during 2025, reaching $2.887 trillion—the highest level on record and marking the 11th consecutive year of growth. This increase lifted global military spending to 2.5% of GDP.

The entire European continent accounted for the largest regional surge, with defense expenditure rising by an estimated 14% to $864 billion in 2025. SIPRI linked this jump to the Ukraine conflict, ongoing tensions with Russia, and Europe’s efforts toward self-reliance amid increasing pressure from the United States to share military burdens.

European NATO members collectively spent $559 billion in 2025. Germany alone saw its military outlays climb by 24% to $114 billion, while Spain’s spending increased by 50% to $40.2 billion.

U.S. military expenditure fell 7.5% to $954 billion during the same period. SIPRI attributed this decline to the Trump administration’s refusal to approve new aid packages for Ukraine, in contrast to previous years when $127 billion in direct military assistance had been authorized. However, the United States continued providing military support through NATO-coordinated programs, with other Western nations covering the costs.

Pentagon officials recently reported that President Donald Trump is advocating for a $1.5 trillion military budget to fund new initiatives including the Golden Dome missile system, artificial intelligence capabilities, and a next-generation class of battleships.

SIPRI noted that Russia’s defense spending increased by 5.9% to $190 billion in 2025, while Ukraine’s expenditure rose by 20% to $84.1 billion—equivalent to 40% of GDP and making it the seventh-largest military spender globally. China added 7.4% to its military budget, reaching $336 billion, Japan increased spending by 9.7% to $62.2 billion, and Taiwan’s expenditure grew by 14% to $18.2 billion.

Russia has repeatedly condemned what it describes as “reckless militarization” by the European Union, claiming the move is aimed at Russia itself. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov further asserted that European propaganda seeks to position Russia as a “model external enemy” to divert focus from internal challenges.