Five charts that show the rise of global militarisation
Summary
Global military spending reached $2.88 trillion in 2025, increasing by 2.9% from the previous year. The US leads in military spending, followed by China, Russia, Germany, and India, with a few countries showing rapid military spending growth in recent years.Key Facts
- Total global military spending in 2025 was $2.88 trillion, about $350 per person worldwide.
- The top five military spenders in 2025 were the US ($954 billion), China ($336 billion), Russia ($190 billion), Germany ($114 billion), and India ($92 billion).
- The US has been the world’s biggest military spender since World War II and has spent over $53.5 trillion on its military since 1949.
- Global military spending rose sharply during wars such as the Korean War, Vietnam War, and after 9/11, and fell in peaceful times like after the Cold War.
- Military spending in Europe doubled since 2016, with Eastern Europe increasing by 173%, influenced by tensions like Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea.
- Qatar, Israel, Norway, and Ukraine show the highest per capita increases in military spending, with Ukraine’s rise linked to its conflict with Russia.
- The US also dominates global arms exports, selling $115 billion worth of weapons between 2016-2025, which is 39% of the world’s total arms sales.
- The world’s total military spending has grown 41% from $1.69 trillion in 2016 to $2.88 trillion in 2025.
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