Archive · 6 Nov 2025
Global Military Spending Surges to $2.7 Trillion, US and China Lead
Imagine all the countries in the world decided to spend more money on their armies and weapons in 2024.
They spent a record amount of money, about $2.7 trillion dollars, which is a lot!
This is the biggest jump in military spending in many years.
The United States spent the most, followed by China.
Even though countries are spending more on their militaries, they are spending much less on trying to make peace, like helping countries get along.
This big increase in military spending is happening because there are more worries about conflicts around the world.
Global military spending reached a record $2.7 trillion in 2024, a 9% increase from the previous year.
This marks the steepest annual rise in military expenditures since 1988.
The United States leads military spending with $949.21 billion, followed by China ($449.85 billion) and Russia ($352.06 billion).
India ranks fourth globally in military spending at approximately $281.74 billion.
Spending on peacebuilding and peacekeeping efforts accounted for only 0.52% of total military expenditures in 2024, a decrease from a decade prior.
- Who
- The United States, China, Russia, India, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and Japan are among the top military spenders.
- What
- Global military spending reached a record $2.7 trillion in 2024, marking the steepest annual increase since 1988, while spending on peacebuilding efforts declined.
- When
- 2024-25
- Where
- Worldwide
- Why
- Rising geopolitical tensions and uncertainties.
Spending on Peacebuilding
Military Expenditures
Proportion of Total Military Spending
Spending on Peacebuilding
Spending on peacebuilding and peacekeeping efforts accounted for only 0.52% of total military expenditures in 2024.
Military Expenditures
Military expenditures worldwide have increased significantly, reaching a record $2.7 trillion in 2024, a 9% increase from the previous year.
Trend Over a Decade
Spending on Peacebuilding
This proportion has dropped from 0.83% a decade earlier.
Military Expenditures
The 9% increase in military spending in 2024 is the steepest annual rise since 1988.
- Total Global Military Spending (2024)
- $2.7 Trillion
- Increase from 2023
- 9%
- Steepest Rise Since
- 1988
- US Military Spending
- $949.21 Billion
- China Military Spending
- $449.85 Billion
- India Military Spending
- $281.74 Billion
- Peacebuilding Spending (2024)
- 0.52% of total military expenditures