Global military spending rose by 2.9 percent in 2025 to $2.89 trillion, despite a 7.5 percent drop in the United States after President Donald Trump's decision to halt new military aid to Ukraine, according to a report published on Monday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), cited by "Reuters".
This is the 11th consecutive year of increase, with spending reaching 2.5 percent of global gross domestic product — the highest level since 2009.
"Given the scope of the current crises, as well as the long-term military spending goals of many countries, this growth is likely to continue until 2026 and beyond," the SIPRI report said.
The three largest military powers — the United States, China and Russia — spent a combined $1.48 trillion, or 51% of global military spending.
US military spending fell to $954 billion in 2025, mainly because no new military aid was approved for Ukraine. Over the previous three years, US military funding to Kiev totalled $127 billion.
"The decline in US military spending in 2025 is likely to be short-lived," SIPRI said.
"Spending approved by the US Congress for 2026 has increased to over $1 trillion, a significant increase compared to 2025, and could rise further to $1.5 trillion in 2027," the statement said.
The main driver of global growth is Europe, where military spending jumped 14% to $864 billion.
Spending by Russia and Ukraine has continued to rise in the fourth year of the war, and increases among European NATO members have led to the sharpest annual increase in Central and Western Europe since the end of the Cold War.
Israel's spending has fallen by 4.9% to $48.3 billion since the end of the Gaza war in 2025, while Iran's has seen its second consecutive decline — by 5.6% to $7.4 billion.