The 30 countries that spend the most on their militaries, ranked

The International Institute for Strategic Studies compiled data about the world's military budgets.
The top militaries spend hundreds of billions of dollars on defense, with the US leading worldwide.
President Donald Trump has proposed increasing annual defense spending to $1.5 trillion.

The US has the world's most expensive military, spending nearly $1 trillion on defense each year. That's roughly four times China's reported defense budget, the next largest.

From spending on nuclear technology to advanced aircraft and warships, the world's top militaries allocate hundreds of billions of dollars each year to stay ahead.

In some countries, big-ticket items such as naval assets or technologically advanced aircraft or missiles account for the bulk of military spending, while others devote largesums to maintaining large conscription troop systems.

Ultimately, military spending varies by country depending on location and interests, Gian Gentile, a retired US Army colonel and senior historian at RAND, told Business Insider. Some countries prioritize homeland defense while others value overmatch and far-reaching power projection.

"The US spends a lot on more sophisticated, extremely precise weapon systems," he said.

A military's budget can be measured either as a total amount or as a share of its country's GDP, reflecting the burden on its economy. Worldwide, countries spent an average of 2.4% of their GDP on defense in 2024.

Wartimespending as a share of GDP typically rises, putting strain on the civilian economy, said Mark Cancian, a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Ukraine in 2024, for example, devoted over 15% of its GDP to its military, the highest share globally.

Spending statistics help paint a picture of defense priorities, but they don't always translate into readiness for conflict.

"Readiness is very expensive, and perishable," Cancian said.

A country's on-paper investment in its defense systems doesn't always translate directly into military capability, he added. Training and maintenance are often overlooked in analyses of spending on equipment and technologies.

A particularly significant cost when it comes to technologically advanced aircraft, for instance, is maintenance and sustainment.

Still, looking at military budgets can reveal how much capital each country relies on to defend itself.

Last year, the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a London-based think tank, released its Military Balance report, which included data on nearly every country's defense budget based on each's reported 2024 figures.

The report includes each country's total budget (in US dollars), per-capita figures, and defense budget as a share of GDP. Some countries, such as North Korea, Libya, Syria, Cuba, and Afghanistan, did not publicly report their defense budgets.

These are the 30 countries that spend the most on their military, ranked by the size of their defense budgets.

30. Qatar

A general view show armoured vehicles rolling during the military parade marking the Gulf emirate's National Day celebrations in Doha on December 18, 2012

Defense budget: $9.66 billion

Defense budget per capita: $3,785

Percentage of GDP: 4.36%

29. Norway

Norwegian soldiers march during a military parade on Armed Forces Day in Vilnius.

Defense budget: $9.79 billion

Defense budget per capita: $1,776

Percentage of GDP: 1.94%

28. Mexico

The Isla Holbox (BAL-02) vessel belonging to the Mexican Navy (SEMAR), intended for humanitarian aid, is docked at Veracruz port in Veracruz, Mexico, on February 6, 2026. Mexico will ship humanitarian aid to Cuba in the coming days while continuing to negotiate with Washington on the possibility of circumventing a US oil siege, President Claudia Sheinbaum said on February 6.

Defense budget: $10.19 billion

Defense budget per capita: $78

Percentage of GDP: 0.55%

27. Indonesia

Indonesian National Armed Forces troops stand in formation during preparations for deployment in Myanmar as part of the Indonesian government's relief mission to assist earthquake victims, at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta on March 31, 2025

Defense budget: $10.93 billion

Defense budget per capita: $39

Percentage of GDP: 0.78%

26. Sweden

An NH90 helicopter is seen in flight after departing from a temporary base during the Nordic Response military exercise on March 07, 2024 in Kiruna, Sweden. The exercise, which primarily takes place across Scandinavia from March 3-14, features 20,000 troops from 13 allied countries. Following the recent NATO expansion, the group now includes Finland and Sweden.

Defense budget: $12.25 billion

Defense budget per capita: $1,157

Percentage of GDP: 2.01%

25. Iraq

Defense budget: $12.68 billion

Defense budget per capita: $301

Percentage of GDP: 4.8%

24. Turkey

Turkish military on the Turkish-Iranian border

Defense budget: $14.27 billion

Defense budget per capita: $170

Percentage of GDP: 1.06%

23. Singapore

The mobile column from the Singapore Armed Forces takes part in a parade during Singapore's 50th National day anniversary celebration at the Padang in Singapore on August 9, 2015

Defense budget: $15.17 billion

Defense budget per capita: $2,517

Percentage of GDP: 2.86%

22. Taiwan

Defense budget: $18.86 billion

Defense budget per capita: $799

Percentage of GDP: 2.43%

21. Spain

Defense budget: $19.44 billion

Defense budget per capita: $411

Percentage of GDP: 1.12%

20. Algeria

Defense budget: $21.4 billion

Defense budget per capita: $455

Percentage of GDP: 8.23%

19. United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates Air Force's newly re-equipped Fursan Al-Emarat aerobatic display team flies the Hongdu L-15 advanced jet trainer from China at the Dubai Airshow on November 16, 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Defense budget: $22.27 billion

Defense budget per capita: $2,220

Percentage of GDP: 4.09%

18. The Netherlands

Defense budget: $23.61 billion

Defense budget per capita: $1,328

Percentage of GDP: 1.94%

17. Brazil

Defense budget: $24.4 billion

Defense budget per capita: $111

Percentage of GDP: 1.11%

16. Canada

Defense budget: $27 billion

Defense budget per capita: $696

Percentage of GDP: 1.22%

15. Poland

Soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces ride a battle tank

Defense budget: $28 billion

Defense budget per capita: $723

Percentage of GDP: 3.25%

14. Ukraine

Defense budget: $28.41 billion

Defense budget per capita: $797

Percentage of GDP: 15.43%

13. Israel

IDF soldiers prepare tanks on August 18, 2025 near the Gaza Strip's northern borders

Defense budget: $33.75 billion

Defense budget per capita: $3,589

Percentage of GDP: 6.39%

12. Italy

Members of the Italian armed force (82° Reggimento Fanteria "Torino") parade during the celebrations for the 76th anniversary of the proclamation of the Italian Republic (Republic Day), on June 2, 2022 in Rome, Italy.

Defense budget: $35.23 billion

Defense budget per capita: $578

Percentage of GDP: 1.48%

11. Australia

Defense budget: $36.40 billion

Defense budget per capita: $1,360

Percentage of GDP: 2.02%

10. South Korea

Defense budget: $43.88 billion

Defense budget per capita: $842

Percentage of GDP: 2.35%

9. Japan

Defense budget: $53.01 billion

Defense budget per capita: $430

Percentage of GDP: 1.3%

8. France

French soldiers wait for the arrival of French President at the Istres military air force base where he is scheduled to deliver his New Year's address to the armed forces in Istres, southern France, on January 15, 2026.

Defense budget: $64.03 billion

Defense budget per capita: $937

Percentage of GDP: 2.02%

7. Saudi Arabia

Saudi armed forces show their skills during a drill in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on August 13, 2018, ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Defense budget: $71.73 billion

Defense budget per capita: $1,963

Percentage of GDP: 6.52%

6. India

Indian Air Force's Sarang helicopter display team fly in formation during a media preview aerial display ahead of the Singapore Airshow in Singapore on February 1, 2026.

Defense budget: $74.36 billion

Defense budget per capita: $53

Percentage of GDP: 1.91%

5. United Kingdom

Members of the British military at RAF Leeming prepare for Exercise Hyperion Storm, a joint force validation exercise with the UK Special Operations Forces being held at RAF Leeming and the Otterburn Training Area in the north of England. Picture date: Friday January 30, 2026.

Defense budget: $81.06 billion

Defense budget per capita: $1,184

Percentage of GDP: 2.26%

4. Germany

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and Bavarian State Premier Markus Soeder attend the inauguration of the Innovation Center of the German Armed Forces Bundeswehr in Erding, Bavaria, southern Germany on February 2, 2026.

Defense budget: $85.98 billion

Defense budget per capita: $1,022

Percentage of GDP: 1.83%

3. Russia

Russian tanks roll on Red Square during the Victory Day military parade, marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, on May 9, 2025 in Moscow, Russia. Russia marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II over Nazi Germany and its allies.

Defense budget: $120.32 billion

Defense budget per capita: $854

Percentage of GDP: 5.51%

2. China

CJ-20A air-launched cruise missiles are seen during a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on September 3, 2025.

Defense budget: $234.98 billion

Defense budget per capita: $166

Percentage of GDP: 1.29%

1. United States

U.S. Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion's (LCAC) unload equipment onto the beach as U.S. Marine Corps V-22 Ospreys and CH-53 Super Stallions fly overhead during the America's Marines 250 event at Camp Pendleton's Red Beach on October 18, 2025 in Oceanside, California. The U.S. Marines are marking their 250th anniversary with a live amphibious assault demonstration entitled "Sea To Shore--A Review of Amphibious Strength" and visits from Vice President JD Vance and War Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Defense budget: $967.96 billion

Defense budget per capita: $2,831

Percentage of GDP: 3.32%

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The 30 countries that spend the most on their militaries, ranked

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