The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reported a substantial 7% growth in global military expenditure for 2023, reaching a staggering $2.43 trillion. This rise represents the steepest annual increase since 2009, a reflection of the deteriorating international peace and security landscape.
The United States, China, and Russia maintained their positions as the top military spenders, with Russia notably increasing its spending by 24%. Ukraine, amidst the ongoing conflict, witnessed a 51% surge in military expenditure and received approximately $35 billion in aid from other countries. This combined support amounted to 91% of Russia’s military spending.
NATO member countries collectively accounted for 55% of global military expenditures. European NATO states, deeply impacted by the war in Ukraine, have undergone a fundamental shift in their security outlook. This has led to increased military spending, with the NATO target of 2% of gross domestic product becoming a baseline rather than an aspiration.
The United States remained the dominant force within NATO, accounting for two-thirds of the alliance’s total military spending with a budget of $916 billion. The percentage changes in military expenditure are expressed in real terms, using constant 2022 prices.
