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• Pakistan’s defence spending rises 11pc as worldwide expenditure hits $2.89 trillion
• Washington trims budget; Ukraine war, Nato expansion drive European rearmament surge
• China, India expand military outlays amid regional tensions
• ME spending largely stable; several African countries increase allocation
ISLAMABAD: World military expenditure reached $2,887 billion in 2025, rising for an 11th straight year, while Pakistan’s military spending rose by 11 per cent to $11.9bn, according to new data published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The report said global spending increased by 2.9pc in real terms over 2024, although the pace of growth slowed compared with the 9.7pc rise recorded a year earlier. The global military burden — measured as a share of gross domestic product (GDP) — climbed to 2.5pc, its highest level since 2009.
The United States, China and Russia remained the top three military spenders, accounting for a combined $1,480bn (51pc) of the global total. While US spending declined, increases across Europe and Asia drove overall growth.
“Global military spending rose again in 2025 as states responded to another year of wars, uncertainty and geopolitical upheaval with large-scale armament drives,” said Xiao Liang, a researcher with SIPRI’s Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme.
Military spending in the United States fell by 7.5pc to $954bn, largely because no new military financial assistance for Ukraine was approved during the year.
This contrasted sharply with the previous three years, when $127bn in aid had been authorised. Despite the decline, the United States continued investing in nuclear and conventional capabilities to maintain dominance in the Western Hemisphere and deter China in the Indo-Pacific.
“The decline in US military expenditure in 2025 is likely to be short-lived,” SIPRI programme director Nan Tian said. “Spending approved by the US Congress for 2026 has risen to over $1 trillion and could rise further to $1.5tr in 2027 if President Donald Trump’s latest budget proposal is accepted.”
Europe recorded the sharpest regional increase, with military spending rising 14pc to $864bn. The surge was driven by continued war-related expenditures by Russia and Ukraine, as well as rearmament efforts among NATO members. Russia’s spending rose by 5.9pc to $190bn, while Ukraine increased its expenditure by 20pc to $84.1bn, equivalent to 40 pc of its GDP.
“In 2025, military expenditure as a share of government spending reached the highest level ever recorded in both Russia and Ukraine,” a SIPRI researcher Lorenzo Scarazzato said. He added that spending is likely to keep growing if the war continues.
NATO’s 29 European members spent a combined $559bn, with 22 countries meeting or exceeding the alliance’s 2pc of GDP benchmark. Germany led the increase, boosting its military spending by 24pc to $114bn, pushing its military burden above 2pc for the first time since 1990.
Asia and Oceania also saw significant growth, with spending rising 8.1pc to $681bn — the fastest increase since 2009. China, the world’s second-largest military spender, increased its expenditure by 7.4pc to $336bn, marking its 31st consecutive annual rise. Japan’s spending grew by 9.7pc to $62.2bn, while Taiwan recorded a 14pc increase amid heightened tensions.
“US allies in Asia and Oceania are spending more not only due to long-standing regional tensions but also because of growing uncertainty over U.S. support,” senior researcher Diego Lopes da Silva said.
In the Middle East, military expenditure remained relatively stable at $218bn, just 0.1pc higher than in 2024.
Israel’s spending fell by 4.9pc to $48.3bn following a reduction in the intensity of the Gaza conflict after a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, although it remained 97pc higher than in 2022. Turkey’s spending rose by 7.2pc to $30bn, while Iran’s expenditure declined by 5.6 pc to $7.4bn due to high inflation, despite a nominal increase.
“Despite recent conflicts, Iran’s military spending decreased in real terms due to economic difficulties,” said SIPRI researcher Zubaida Karim, noting that official figures likely understate actual spending.
Elsewhere, India increased its military spending by 8.9pc to $92.1bn, maintaining its position as the world’s fifth-largest spender. Saudi Arabia’s expenditure rose by 1.4pc to $83.2bn, ranking eighth globally.
Military spending in Africa grew by 8.5pc to $58.2bn, with Nigeria recording a sharp 55pc increase amid worsening insecurity. Guyana’s spending rose by 16pc due to tensions with Venezuela.
The SIPRI report underscores a continued global trend of rising military expenditure driven by conflict, insecurity and strategic competition, even as growth rates vary across regions.
Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2026
