According to the latest Visual Capitalist report, 2025 will see a sharp rise in defense budgets worldwide, with the top 15 countries together allocating hundreds of billions of dollars to their armies and weapons systems. The U.S. remains far ahead at the top of the list, spending nearly four times as much as China. China comes second at $246 billion, while Russia ranks third with $150 billion. After these three major powers come Germany ($109 billion), the United Kingdom ($81 billion), and India ($79 billion).
What stands out is the high share of defense budgets relative to GDP in some countries. Ukraine leads the world, devoting 35% of its GDP, while Israel follows with 8.8%—figures that show how war and security threats have reshaped their national budgets. Experts say these rising expenditures not only intensify the arms race among great powers but also carry direct consequences for the global economy, regional security, and the future of international relations.
Ranking of the top 15 countries by military spending in 2025:
- United States: $962 billion
- China: $246 billion
- Russia: $150 billion
- Germany: $109 billion
- United Kingdom: $81 billion
- India: $79 billion
- Saudi Arabia: $78 billion
- Japan: $65 billion
- Ukraine: $54 billion
- France: $47 billion
- South Korea: $45 billion
- Italy: $44 billion
- Israel: $37 billion
- Poland: $35 billion
- Australia: $34 billion
This trajectory shows the world has entered a new stage of arms competition—one likely to cast a long shadow over the security and economic equations of many nations.
NOURNEWS