Defense Budget by Country in 2025: SIPRI's Top 15 Ranked
The United States had the largest defense budget by country in 2025 at $954 billion. China followed at an estimated $336 billion, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Russia, Germany and India completed the top five, and those five countries accounted for 58 percent of the $2,887 billion the world spent on the military.
Top Defense Budgets by Country in 2025
The five biggest military spenders in 2025 were the United States ($954 billion), China (an estimated $336 billion), Russia (an estimated $190 billion), Germany ($114 billion) and India ($92.1 billion). The figures come from the SIPRI fact sheet Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2025, published on 27 April 2026. The table below lists the top 10 in US dollars at current prices and exchange rates.
Spending is concentrated at the top of the table. The top five spent $1,686 billion, or 58 percent of world spending. The top 10 spent $2,072 billion (72 percent), and the top 15 spent $2,304 billion (80 percent).
Ranks 11 through 15 were Israel at $48.3 billion, Italy at $48.1 billion, South Korea at $47.8 billion, Poland at $46.8 billion and Spain at $40.2 billion.
Pakistan ranked 31st at $11.9 billion. Iran ranked 38th at $7.4 billion.
| Rank | Country | 2025 Spending | Real Change 2024-25 | Share of World Spending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | $954 billion | -7.5% | 33% |
| 2 | China | $336 billion (estimate) | +7.4% | 12% |
| 3 | Russia | $190 billion (estimate) | +5.9% | 6.6% |
| 4 | Germany | $114 billion | +24% | 3.9% |
| 5 | India | $92.1 billion | +8.9% | 3.2% |
| 6 | United Kingdom | $89.0 billion | -2.0% | 3.1% |
| 7 | Ukraine | $84.1 billion (estimate) | +20% | 2.9% |
| 8 | Saudi Arabia | $83.2 billion (estimate) | +1.4% | 2.9% |
| 9 | France | $68.0 billion | +1.5% | 2.4% |
| 10 | Japan | $62.2 billion | +9.7% | 2.2% |
Military Burden as a Share of Gross Domestic Product
Ukraine carried the heaviest military burden among the top 15 spenders in 2025, at an estimated 40 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). The world average was 2.5 percent of GDP, up from 2.4 percent in 2024. Military spending took 6.9 percent of government spending worldwide, and SIPRI puts world spending at $352 per person.
A country's dollar rank and its burden can point in opposite directions. The United States spent the most in dollars but devoted 3.1 percent of GDP, while Israel spent 7.8 percent and Russia an estimated 7.5 percent. China, second in dollars, spent an estimated 1.7 percent, and Japan spent 1.4 percent.
Poland had the highest military burden among North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members at 4.5 percent of GDP, with Latvia next at 3.6 percent. The United Kingdom spent 2.4 percent, slightly short of the NATO target named in the SIPRI fact sheet. Ukraine also received $52.2 billion from partners in 2025, according to SIPRI.
| Country | Share of GDP 2025 | 2025 Spending |
|---|---|---|
| Ukraine | 40% (estimate) | $84.1 billion (estimate) |
| Israel | 7.8% | $48.3 billion |
| Russia | 7.5% (estimate) | $190 billion (estimate) |
| Saudi Arabia | 6.5% (estimate) | $83.2 billion (estimate) |
| Poland | 4.5% | $46.8 billion |
| United States | 3.1% | $954 billion |
| Pakistan | 2.9% | $11.9 billion |
| India | 2.3% | $92.1 billion |
| Iran | 2.1% | $7.4 billion |
| China | 1.7% (estimate) | $336 billion (estimate) |
| Japan | 1.4% | $62.2 billion |
| World | 2.5% | $2,887 billion |
How the Biggest Movers Changed Their Spending
US military spending fell 7.5 percent in real terms in 2025, the largest decline in the top 10. SIPRI attributes the drop to the Department of Defense appropriating no new supplemental aid for Ukraine in 2025. World spending excluding the United States grew 9.2 percent, against 2.9 percent for the global total.
China's spending rose 7.4 percent to an estimated $336 billion, its 31st consecutive annual increase in SIPRI's coverage. World spending has now grown for 11 consecutive years and is up 41 percent over 2016 to 2025.
Germany's spending jumped 24 percent to $114 billion, putting it fourth in the world. The increase followed reform of Germany's debt rule, which lets it finance military spending above 0.35 percent of GDP through borrowing. Elsewhere in Europe, Spain grew 50 percent, Poland 23 percent and Italy 20 percent.
India's spending rose 8.9 percent to $92.1 billion. SIPRI links the rise to India's conflict with Pakistan in May 2025, which involved combat aircraft, drones and missiles. India's revised capital outlays for military aircraft systems came in 50 percent higher than originally budgeted.
Pakistan's spending grew 11 percent to $11.9 billion, equal to 2.9 percent of its GDP. Iran's spending fell 5.6 percent to $7.4 billion, its second consecutive annual decline. The SIPRI fact sheet attributes Iran's fall to an annual inflation rate of 42 percent.
How to Read SIPRI Figures Against National Budgets
SIPRI figures are SIPRI's own estimates of military expenditure, and they differ from the budget requests governments publish. They also differ from enacted appropriations such as the US National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and each country defines defense spending in its own way. Bracketed figures in SIPRI's tables, including those for China, Russia, Ukraine and Saudi Arabia, carry higher uncertainty.
SIPRI's $954 billion for the United States does not match the fiscal 2026 authorization covered in our US defense budget guide, because the two measure different things. China's announced budget and SIPRI's estimate also diverge, and our China's defense budget page breaks that gap down.
Use one source for every country in a comparison. Pairing a SIPRI estimate for one country with a national budget figure for another compares two different measures. See also our explainer on planning, programming, budgeting and execution (PPBE).
For the full country table and SIPRI's method notes, read the SIPRI 2025 fact sheet or the SIPRI website.
What a Defense Budget by Country Ranking Tells Investors
Spending grew 24 percent in Germany, 23 percent in Poland and 8.9 percent in India in 2025. The 7.5 percent US decline traces to Ukraine aid appropriations, according to SIPRI, so weigh that cause before reading it as a long-term cut.
The SIPRI ranking is not a buy signal; see our defense stocks coverage. Contract awards are covered in our guide to how defense procurement works.
To compare companies, start with our best defense stocks list and match each company's markets against the fastest-growing countries in this defense budget by country table.
Guides FAQs
What was India's defense budget in 2025, and where does it rank?
India spent $92.1 billion on its military in 2025, ranking fifth in the world according to SIPRI. That was an 8.9 percent real increase and 2.3 percent of GDP. SIPRI links the rise to India's May 2025 conflict with Pakistan.
How much does Pakistan spend on defense?
Pakistan spent $11.9 billion on its military in 2025, ranking 31st in the world according to SIPRI. Spending grew 11 percent and equaled 2.9 percent of GDP.
How much does Iran spend on defense?
Iran spent $7.4 billion on its military in 2025, ranking 38th according to SIPRI. Spending fell 5.6 percent, its second consecutive annual decline, and equaled 2.1 percent of GDP. The SIPRI fact sheet attributes the fall to Iran's 42 percent annual inflation rate.
Which country spends the most on defense as a percentage of GDP?
Ukraine had the highest military burden among the top 15 spenders in 2025, at an estimated 40 percent of GDP. Israel followed at 7.8 percent, Russia at an estimated 7.5 percent and Saudi Arabia at an estimated 6.5 percent. The world average was 2.5 percent.
How much does the world spend on the military?
The world spent $2,887 billion on the military in 2025, a 2.9 percent real increase and the 11th consecutive year of growth. That equals 2.5 percent of world GDP and $352 per person. Spending rose 41 percent over 2016 to 2025.
Is the United States the largest military spender?
Yes, the United States spent $954 billion in 2025, 33 percent of world military spending. That is about 2.8 times China's estimated $336 billion ($954 billion divided by $336 billion). US spending fell 7.5 percent in real terms during the year.