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Global military spending has continued its upward trajectory, reaching nearly $2.9 trillion in 2025, a stark indicator of escalating global insecurity and rearmament. This marks the 11th consecutive year of growth, underscoring a worrying trend where nations are increasingly prioritizing defense budgets in response to a volatile international landscape.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report highlights that the United States, China, and Russia alone account for more than half of this colossal expenditure. While the US saw a reduction in its military outlays, this was more than compensated by significant increases in Europe and Asia, driven primarily by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and a perceived decrease in US engagement with European security.

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Everything points to a world that feels less secure and is spending on its military to compensate for the global landscape.

This surge in military expenditure translates to the highest global military burden—the share of GDP devoted to defense—since 2009. Researchers note that this reflects a world that feels less secure, compelling nations to bolster their military capabilities. The report also details significant spending hikes in countries like Germany and Spain, and the substantial allocation of GDP to military spending by both Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing the profound impact of current geopolitical tensions on national budgets worldwide.

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That is driven by two major factors. One is the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the other is the decreased US engagement with Europe.