Global military spending continues to rise as European and Asian expenditures surge

ISLAMABAD: World military expenditure reached $2,887 billion in 2025, an increase of 2.9 per cent in real terms over 2024, according to new data published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on Monday. Military spending declined in the United States but rose by 14pc in Europe and by 8.1pc in Asia and Oceania. The top three military spenders — the USA, China and Russia — spent a combined total of $1,480bn, or 51pc of the global total. Spending in Middle East stable despite ongoing conflicts and regional rivalries Military expenditure in the Middle East reached an estimated $218bn in 2025, just 0.1pc higher than in 2024. Besides Israel, most other major spenders in the region for which data is available increased their spending. Israel’s military expenditure decreased by 4.9pc to $48.3bn, reflecting a reduction in the intensity of the Gaza conflict during 2025 following the ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Israel’s spending remained 97pc higher than in 2022. Military spending by Turkiye grew by 7.2pc in 2025 to $30.0bn, partly driven by its ongoing military operations in Iraq, Somalia, and Syria. Spending by Iran declined for the second consecutive year, falling by 5.6pc to $7.4 bn in 2025. The real-terms decrease was due to high annual inflation of 42pc; however, spending increased in nominal terms. “Despite the recent conflicts, Iran’s military spending decreased in real terms due to economic difficulties,” said Zubaida Karim, a researcher with the SIPRI Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme. “However, official figures almost certainly understate the true level of Iran’s spending. Iran also uses off-budget oil revenues to finance its military, including the production of missiles and drones,” she said. Rearmament and heightened insecurity fuel widespread spending increases Global military expenditure increased to $2,887bn in 2025, the 11th consecutive year of increases, bringing the global military burden—military expenditure