28.04.2025 10:52
Global military expenditures reached a record high of $2.718 trillion in 2024, marking a real increase of 9.4% compared to the previous year, driven by rising geopolitical tensions. The report also indicated that Turkey's military spending increased by 110% during the period from 2015 to 2024.
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Global military expenditures reached a record high of 2 trillion 718 billion dollars in 2024, increasing by 9.4% in real terms compared to the previous year, influenced by rising geopolitical tensions. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released its report on global military expenditures for 2024.
EXPENDITURES HAVE INCREASED FOR 10 YEARS
The report indicates that global military expenditures reached an all-time high of 2 trillion 718 billion dollars in 2024, marking a 9.4% increase in real terms compared to the previous year. It emphasized that the sharp rise in military expenditures in Europe and the Middle East was influential in last year's increase. The report noted that global military expenditures have been rising consecutively for 10 years and recorded the sharpest increase since the end of the Cold War last year, stating that global military spending per capita reached its highest level since 1990 at 334 dollars.
TURKEY'S MILITARY EXPENDITURES INCREASED BY 110% FROM 2015 TO 2024
The report indicated that Turkey's military expenditures increased by 110% from 2015 to 2024, with military spending last year reported to be 25 billion dollars, a 12% increase compared to the previous year. The SIPRI report stated that military expenditures rose globally last year, with significant increases particularly in Europe and the Middle East.
The report mentioned that all European countries, except Malta, increased their military expenditures last year, noting that the war in Ukraine and doubts about the U.S. commitment to NATO led to a 17% increase in military spending in Europe, including Russia. The five countries with the highest military expenditures in 2024 are expected to be the U.S., China, Russia, Germany, and India, with these countries accounting for 60% of global military spending.
U.S. MILITARY EXPENDITURES ACCOUNTED FOR 66% OF NATO LAST YEAR
The report stated that U.S. expenditures are expected to rise by 5.7% to 997 billion dollars in 2024, with military spending increasing by 19% from 2015 to 2024. It highlighted that last year, U.S. military expenditures accounted for 37% of total global military spending and 66% of total NATO military expenditures. While most European NATO members increased their military spending last year, their total share within NATO reached its highest level in 11 years at 30%.
MORE THAN DURING THE COLD WAR
The institute's report stated, "The Russia-Ukraine war, now in its third year in 2024, continues to drive military spending, pushing military expenditures in Europe beyond the levels recorded at the end of the Cold War." The report estimated that China's military spending increased by 59% from 2015 to 2024, with military expenditures rising by 7% last year to reach 314 billion dollars. It was noted that India's military spending increased by 1.6% to 86.1 billion dollars last year, with military expenditures rising by 42% from 2015 to 2024.
GERMANY IS REARMING
The report indicated that Germany was among the countries with the highest military spending globally last year, with expenditures of 88.5 billion dollars, surpassing India to rank 4th in the world for the first time. It was reported that Germany's military expenditures increased by 28% last year, with a notable 89% increase from 2015 to 2024.
NOTABLE INCREASE IN RUSSIA'S MILITARY EXPENDITURES
Russia's military expenditures increased by 38% to 149 billion dollars in 2024, which is estimated to account for 7.1% of Russia's GDP. Ukraine, which is at war with Russia, saw its military expenditures rise by 2.9% to 64.7 billion dollars last year. Due to the ongoing war, this amount constituted 34% of Ukraine's GDP in 2024. It is noteworthy that Ukraine's total military expenditures last year corresponded to 43% of Russia's expenditures.
ISRAEL'S MILITARY EXPENDITURES INCREASED BY 65%
- Israel, which continues its attacks in Gaza, saw its military expenditures rise by 65% last year, reaching 46.5 billion dollars. SIPRI noted that this represents "the highest annual increase since the Six-Day War in 1967."
- Iran's expenditures decreased by 10% to 7.9 billion dollars. The report commented, "The impact of sanctions on Iran has severely limited its capacity to increase spending."
- The UK's military expenditures increased by 2.8% last year, reaching 81.8 billion dollars. France's military expenditures rose by 6.1% to 64.7 billion dollars.
- Saudi Arabia became the largest military spender in the Middle East and the seventh largest in the world in 2024, with expenditures of 80.3 billion dollars.
MORE THAN 100 COUNTRIES INCREASED MILITARY SPENDING
SIPRI Senior Researcher Xiao Liang stated that more than 100 countries increased their military expenditures last year. Liang expressed, "As governments increasingly prioritize military security, often at the expense of other budget areas, the economic and social trade-offs may have significant impacts on societies in the coming years." Since its establishment in 1966, SIPRI has been preparing research, reports, and analyses in areas such as conflict, armament, arms control, and disarmament.
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