Countries Spend More Money on Armies in 2025

Apr 26, 2026, 22:07
AfricaWorld
A2

Countries Spend More Money on Armies in 2025

Introduction

Countries around the world spent a lot of money on their militaries in 2025. They spent 2.887 trillion dollars. This is the highest amount ever.

Main Body

Many countries are afraid of wars. Europe spent more money because of Russia. Germany, Spain, and Poland spent a lot of money on weapons. The United States spent a little less money in 2025. But the US still spends more than any other country. They want to stay strong against China. China and India also spent more money. China wants a modern army. India spent more money because it has problems with China and Pakistan.

Conclusion

Countries are spending more money on weapons and soldiers. This trend will likely continue in 2026.

Vocabulary Learning

continue (v.)
to keep doing something繼續
Example:We will continue our work tomorrow.
money (n.)
currency used for buying goods錢
Example:I need some money to buy a book.
strong (adj.)
having power or force; not weak強壯
Example:She is a strong leader.
war (n.)
a violent conflict between countries戰爭
Example:War is very destructive.
world (n.)
the earth as a planet; all the people living on it世界
Example:The world is a big place.

Sentence Learning

Countries around the world spent a lot of money on their militaries in 2025.
Time: The phrase 'in 2025' shows when the action happened.時間：'in 2025' 表示動作發生的時間。
Europe spent more money because of Russia.
Reason: The word 'because' explains why Europe spent more money.原因：'because' 解釋歐洲為什麼花更多錢。
But the US still spends more than any other country.
Contrast: The word 'but' shows a contrast between the US spending less and still spending the most.對比：'but' 表示美國雖然少花，但仍支出最多。
They want to stay strong against China.
Prepositional: The phrase 'against China' shows the target of their strength.介詞短語：'against China' 表示他們想對抗的對象。
China wants a modern army.
Statement: This is a simple sentence stating that China wants a modern army.陳述：這句話簡單陳述中國想要一支現代化軍隊。
B2

Analysis of Record Global Military Spending in 2025

Introduction

Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) shows that global military spending reached a record high of $2.887 trillion in 2025. This marks the eleventh year in a row that spending has increased.

Main Body

The increase in spending is caused by ongoing geopolitical instability, including conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan. In Europe, spending rose by 14% to $864 billion because countries feel threatened by Russia. For example, Spain, Poland, and Italy saw significant budget increases. Germany became the region's largest spender, spending $114 billion after changing its laws to allow for more borrowing. In contrast, the United States saw its military spending drop by 7.5% to $954 billion in 2025, mainly because Congress did not provide new funding for Ukraine. However, researcher Xiao Liang claimed that this decline is only temporary. He pointed to the 2026 budget and the high cost of the 2026 Iran war as evidence that spending will rise again. Despite the drop, the US still spends more than any other country to discourage China from expanding in the Indo-Pacific region. Meanwhile, China has increased its budget every year for 31 years, with a 7.4% rise in 2025 to modernize its military. As a result, other Asian countries are spending more to protect themselves. Japan increased its budget by 9.7%, and India raised its spending by 8.9% due to tensions with China and a conflict with Pakistan. Furthermore, experts warned that this trend could start a new arms race and lead to a reduction in funding for social services and international aid.

Conclusion

Global military spending has reached an all-time high due to regional conflicts and new strategic goals, and this trend is expected to continue into 2026.

Vocabulary Learning

geopolitical (adj.)
relating to the politics of nations and their relationships與國家間政治及關係有關的
Example:The geopolitical situation in the Middle East is complex.
instability (n.)
lack of steady or predictable conditions不穩定
Example:Economic instability can lead to social unrest.
modernize (v.)
to update or bring into current use現代化
Example:The company plans to modernize its production line.
threatened (adj.)
in danger or at risk受到威脅的
Example:The small island felt threatened by rising sea levels.
trend (n.)
a general direction or pattern趨勢
Example:There is a trend toward renewable energy.

Sentence Learning

The increase in spending is caused by ongoing geopolitical instability, including conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan.
Passive Voice: The sentence uses the passive structure 'is caused by', indicating that the action is performed on the subject rather than by it.被動語態：句子使用被動結構 'is caused by'，表示行動的受者，而非主動者。
He pointed to the 2026 budget and the high cost of the 2026 Iran war as evidence that spending will rise again.
Relative Clause: The clause 'that spending will rise again' modifies the noun 'evidence', providing additional information about it.關係子句：'that spending will rise again' 作為 'evidence' 的補語，說明證據所指的內容。
In contrast, the United States saw its military spending drop by 7.5% to $954 billion in 2025, mainly because Congress did not provide new funding for Ukraine.
Contrast & Causal Conjunction: 'In contrast' introduces a comparison, while 'because' explains the reason for the decline.對比與原因連接詞：'In contrast' 表示對比，'because' 表示原因。
Despite the drop, the US still spends more than any other country to discourage China from expanding in the Indo-Pacific region.
Linking Word: 'Despite' is used to show contrast, indicating that the following statement holds true even though the preceding condition might suggest otherwise.儘管：'Despite' 用於表示儘管，強調後面的情況與預期相反。
Germany became the region's largest spender, spending $114 billion after changing its laws to allow for more borrowing.
Participial Phrase: The phrase 'after changing its laws' functions as a time adverbial, indicating when the spending occurred.分詞片語：'after changing its laws' 作為時間狀語，說明行動發生的時間。
C2

Analysis of Record Global Military Expenditure in 2025

Introduction

Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) indicates that global military spending reached an unprecedented high of $2.887 trillion in 2025, marking the eleventh consecutive year of growth.

Main Body

The escalation in expenditure is attributed to persistent geopolitical instability, including ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan. In Europe, spending increased by 14% to $864 billion, driven by a perceived security threat from Russia. This shift is evidenced by significant budget increases in Spain (50%), Poland (23%), and Italy (20%). Germany emerged as the region's largest spender, with a budget of $114 billion (2.3% of GDP), facilitated by legislative changes to fiscal debt limits to allow for increased borrowing. Conversely, United States military expenditure decreased by 7.5% to $954 billion in 2025, primarily due to the absence of new congressional funding for Ukraine. However, SIPRI researcher Xiao Liang suggests this decline is temporary, citing the 2026 budget and the financial impact of the 2026 Iran war—which cost $11.3 billion in its first six days—as indicators of a returning upward trend. Despite the decrease, the US maintains the largest global share of spending, focused on conventional and nuclear capabilities to deter China in the Indo-Pacific. In Asia, China continues a 31-year trend of annual budget increases, rising 7.4% in 2025 to support the modernization of its armed forces by 2035. This development has prompted increased defense spending and a move toward self-reliance among regional actors, including Japan, which saw a 9.7% increase to $62.2 billion. India, the fifth-largest spender, increased its budget by 8.9% to $92.1 billion, influenced by tensions with China and a 2025 conflict with Pakistan involving aerospace and drone technology. From an analytical perspective, the 'military burden'—defense spending as a percentage of global GDP—reached 2.5% in 2025, the highest level since 2009. While some interpret a more distributed military balance as a potential stabilizer, Xiao Liang posits that such a trend may instead facilitate a new arms race, thereby increasing the probability of strategic miscalculation. Furthermore, it is noted that the reallocation of national wealth toward defense may result in the reduction of funding for social services and international development aid.

Conclusion

Global military spending has reached a historical peak driven by regional conflicts and strategic realignments, with a projected continuation of this trend into 2026.

Vocabulary Learning

escalation (n.)
intensification / the process of becoming more intense or severe逐步升級；升級
Example:The escalation of tensions between the two countries alarmed international observers.
geopolitical (adj.)
relating to the influence of geography on politics and international relations / 地緣政治的
Example:Geopolitical considerations often drive the strategic decisions of superpowers.
miscalculation (n.)
an incorrect estimation or judgment, often leading to error / 錯判；誤算
Example:A miscalculation of the enemy's capabilities can lead to disastrous outcomes.
modernization (n.)
the process of updating or making modern / 現代化
Example:The modernization of the armed forces includes adopting advanced drone technology.
reallocation (n.)
the act of moving resources from one area to another / 重新配置
Example:The reallocation of national wealth towards defense may reduce funding for social services.

Sentence Learning

However, SIPRI researcher Xiao Liang suggests this decline is temporary, citing the 2026 budget and the financial impact of the 2026 Iran war—which cost $11.3 billion in its first six days—as indicators of a returning upward trend.
Non-restrictive Relative Clause: The clause 'which cost $11.3 billion in its first six days' provides additional information about the 2026 Iran war without limiting the meaning of the noun it modifies, allowing the sentence to remain concise and fluid.非限制性關係子句: 子句 'which cost $11.3 billion in its first six days' 為 2026 伊朗戰爭提供額外資訊，並未限制其名詞的含義，使句子保持簡潔流暢。
Germany emerged as the region's largest spender, with a budget of $114 billion (2.3% of GDP), facilitated by legislative changes to fiscal debt limits to allow for increased borrowing.
Participial Phrase: The phrase 'facilitated by legislative changes...' functions as a modifier of the preceding clause, indicating the cause or means of Germany's increased spending.分詞短語: 短語 'facilitated by legislative changes...' 作為前一子句的修飾語，說明德國增加軍費的原因或手段。
While some interpret a more distributed military balance as a potential stabilizer, Xiao Liang posits that such a trend may instead facilitate a new arms race, thereby increasing the probability of strategic miscalculation.
Concessive Clause (While): The subordinate clause 'While some interpret a more distributed military balance...' introduces a contrast to the main clause, signalling that the speaker acknowledges a differing viewpoint before asserting their own position.讓步子句（While）: 從屬子句 'While some interpret a more distributed military balance...' 引入對比，表示說話者先承認不同觀點，再表達自己的立場。
From an analytical perspective, the 'military burden'—defense spending as a percentage of global GDP—reached 2.5% in 2025, the highest level since 2009.
Em Dash Parenthetical: The em dash is used to insert an explanatory phrase—'defense spending as a percentage of global GDP'—into the main clause, creating a pause and emphasizing the definition of 'military burden'.破折號插入語: 破折號用於在主句中插入說明性短語—'defense spending as a percentage of global GDP'—以創造停頓並強調 'military burden' 的定義。
It is noted that the reallocation of national wealth toward defense may result in the reduction of funding for social services and international development aid.
Passive Construction: The phrase 'it is noted that...' is a passive form, shifting the focus from the doer of the action to the information being presented, which is common in formal academic reporting.被動語態: 短語 'it is noted that...' 為被動語態，將焦點從動作的執行者轉移到所傳達的信息，這在正式學術報告中很常見。