Europe drives surge in global defence spending, Belgium sees sharpest rise
Global military spending reached a new record in 2025, marking the eleventh consecutive year of growth, according to a report published on Monday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Spending rose by 2.9 per cent in real terms to 2,887 billion USD (around 2,460 billion euros), an increase of 41 per cent over the past decade.
The rise is largely driven by Europe, where countries are accelerating rearmament in response to geopolitical tensions and ongoing conflicts. European NATO members increased their defence budgets by 14 per cent compared with the previous year, the sharpest rise since 1953, amid growing doubts about the reliability of the United States as a security partner.
Belgium records steepest increase
Belgium posted the largest increase in Europe, with defence spending rising by 59 per cent to the equivalent of 14.5 billion USD. The country now ranks 28th globally in terms of military expenditure, up from 32nd a year earlier.
Across Europe, the increase reflects efforts to meet NATO targets. Of the 29 European members, 22, including Belgium, now meet the benchmark of spending 2 per cent of gross domestic product on defence. Countries such as Germany, Spain, Italy and Denmark also recorded significant increases, with Germany alone raising its defence budget by 24 per cent.
Ukraine war and shifting alliances
Part of the additional spending is linked to continued support for Ukraine. In 2025, Kyiv received 52.2 billion USD in international military aid, largely from European partners, compensating for a decline in new US support. Ukraine itself remains heavily reliant on its own resources, allocating around 84 billion USD to defence, equivalent to roughly 40 per cent of its GDP.
Russia has also expanded its military spending, reaching an estimated 190 billion USD, as the war continues with no immediate prospect of a settlement.
US dip temporary as global arms race continues
Despite remaining the world’s largest military spender, the United States reduced its defence budget by 7.5 per cent to 954 billion USD in 2025, mainly due to the absence of new aid packages for Ukraine. However, this dip is expected to be short-lived, with Washington already planning significant increases in the coming years.
According to SIPRI, the United States, China and Russia together account for more than half of global defence spending. Increased investment is also visible in Asia, including in Japan, Taiwan and China.
“Given the diverse current crises and the long-term goals of many countries for defence spending, that growth will likely continue in 2026 and beyond,” the institute concludes.
© PHOTO JEAN-CHRISTIAN TIRAT / SIPA
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