Global Military Spending Reaches Nearly 2.9 Trillion Dollars in 2025

Apr 26, 2026, 22:33

Introduction

A report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) shows that global military spending has increased for the eleventh year in a row, reaching approximately $2.89 trillion in 2025.

Main Body

Total spending grew by 2.9 percent compared to 2024. The United States, China, and Russia spent a combined $1.48 trillion, which is more than half of the global total. As a result, the global military burden—the percentage of the world's GDP spent on defense—reached 2.5 percent, its highest level since 2009. In the United States, spending fell by 7.5 percent to $954 billion because no new military aid for Ukraine was approved. However, experts claim this drop is temporary. The U.S. Congress has already authorized over $1 trillion for 2026, and spending could rise to $1.5 trillion in 2027 if President Donald Trump's budget proposal is accepted. Meanwhile, European spending rose by 14 percent to $864 billion. This increase was caused by the conflict in Ukraine and a belief that the U.S. is less involved in regional security, which has pushed European countries to improve their own defense systems. For example, Germany's spending rose by 24 percent, and Spain's increased by 50 percent. Spending in Asia and Oceania grew by 8.5 percent to $681 billion, marking the largest annual increase since 2009. China's spending reached $336 billion, continuing a growth trend that has lasted thirty years. Japan and Taiwan also increased their budgets, which analysts emphasize is a response to regional threats and uncertainty about U.S. security guarantees. In contrast, spending in the Middle East remained stable. Israel's spending dropped slightly following a ceasefire in Gaza, while Iran's spending appeared to decrease due to high inflation, although the actual amount spent remained high.

Conclusion

Global defense spending continues to rise as countries react to political instability and changing security alliances, with the most significant growth occurring in Europe and Asia.

Vocabulary Learning

conflict (n.)

a serious disagreement or struggle衝突

Example:The conflict in Ukraine has led to higher military spending.

increased (v.)

to become larger or greater增加

Example:The defense budget increased by 15% in 2025.

instability (n.)

lack of steadiness or consistency不穩定

Example:Political instability can cause fluctuations in defense budgets.

regional (adj.)

relating to a particular area or part of a country地區的

Example:European countries are strengthening their regional security.

spending (n.)

the amount of money used for something開支

Example:The country's spending on defense increased by 10% last year.

Sentence Learning

The United States, China, and Russia spent a combined $1.48 trillion, which is more than half of the global total.

Relative Clause: This clause adds essential information about the amount relative to the global total.關係子句: 此子句提供了有關美中俄三國支出在全球總額中所佔比例的必要資訊。

In the United States, spending fell by 7.5 percent to $954 billion because no new military aid for Ukraine was approved.

Passive Voice: The verb phrase "was approved" shifts focus from the subject to the action.被動語態: 動詞短語「was approved」將焦點從主語轉向動作本身。

Israel's spending dropped slightly following a ceasefire in Gaza, while Iran's spending appeared to decrease due to high inflation, although the actual amount spent remained high.

Contrast Linking Words: The conjunctions "while" and "although" show contrast between two situations.對比連接詞: 連接詞「while」和「although」用來顯示兩種不同情況之間的對比。

Spending in Asia and Oceania grew by 8.5 percent to $681 billion, marking the largest annual increase since 2009.

Participial Clause: The phrase "marking the largest annual increase" functions as a participial clause that gives additional information.分詞短語: 短語「marking the largest annual increase」作為分詞短語提供額外資訊。

The U.S. Congress has already authorized over $1 trillion for 2026, and spending could rise to $1.5 trillion in 2027 if President Donald Trump’s budget proposal is accepted.

Conditional Clause: The "if" clause expresses a condition that could lead to a future outcome.條件子句: 「if」子句表達一個條件，若滿足則可能導致未來結果。