Stockholm International Peace Research Institute released its latest report on global military expenditure trends in April 2026

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released its latest report on global military expenditure trends in April 2026, which clearly reflects the evolving global security landscape. The report indicates that defense spending is consistently rising worldwide—a sign of escalating geopolitical tensions and regional conflicts.

According to the report, numerous countries have significantly increased their military budgets in light of their security requirements. A sharp surge in defense spending has been observed particularly among nations in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. This increase is attributed to rising global instability, conflicts, and strategic competition.

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¨     The report underscores the continued rise in military spending amid persistent geopolitical tensions such as the Russia–Ukraine conflict, intensifying Indo-Pacific competition, and renewed focus on NATO rearmament and European security concerns.

¨     It reflects a broader global trend of increasing militarisation driven by uncertainty in the international order and rising strategic rivalries among major powers.

Key Findings

Global Trends

¨     The global military expenditure rose by 2.9% in real terms to reach $2887 billion in 2025, which was the 11th consecutive year of growth.

¨     The global spending reflects a 41% increase over the decade (2016–25), marking the continuation of a sustained upward trajectory in global defence spending.

¨     Military spending as a share of global GDP increased from 2.4% in 2024 to 2.5% in 2025, the highest level recorded since 2009, indicating rising prioritisation of defence in national economies.

¨     Defence expenditure constituted approximately 6.9% of total global government spending, while per capita military spending reached $352, highlighting the growing burden of militarisation on public finances.

¨     The five biggest spenders in 2025 were the United States, China, Russia, Germany and India, which together accounted for 58% of world military spending.

¨     The United States, China, and Russia alone accounted for about 51% of global military spending, with a combined expenditure of nearly $1.48 trillion.

¨     The United States remained the largest military spender at $954 billion, accounting for a third of all military spending in 2025.

¨     The US registered a decline of around 7.5% in 2025, while China ($336 billion, +7.4%) and Russia ($190 billion, +5.9%) continued to expand their defence budgets steadily.

Regional Trends

¨     Europe: Europe recorded the highest regional increase in military expenditure, with spending rising by 14% to $864 billion, driven primarily by the Russia–Ukraine conflict and enhanced NATO defence commitments.

¨     Asia and Oceania: Military spending in Asia and Oceania grew by 8.1% to $681 billion, marking the fastest growth since 2009, largely due to China’s military modernisation and rising defence investments by countries such as India, Japan, and Taiwan.

¨     Middle East: Military expenditure in the Middle East remained relatively stable at $218 billion, reflecting a phase of consolidation amid evolving regional security dynamics.

¨     Africa: Africa witnessed an increase of 8.5% in military spending to $58.2 billion, driven by internal security challenges, counter-terrorism operations, and regional instability.

India-Specific Findings

Global Ranking and Expenditure Levels

¨     India ranked as the 5th largest military spender globally in 2025, with total expenditure estimated at around $92.1 billion.

¨     The country recorded an increase of approximately 8.9% in military spending compared to the previous year.

Key Drivers of Defence Spending

¨     India’s military expenditure is primarily driven by border tensions with China along the Line of Actual Control and ongoing security concerns with Pakistan.

¨     The need to maintain preparedness on both western and northern fronts has significantly influenced defence allocations.

¨     The government’s push for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ in defence has led to increased investments in domestic manufacturing and defence research.

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)

¨     It is an independent international institute dedicated to research on issues related to conflict, armaments, arms control, and disarmament.

¨     SIPRI was established in 1966, and it provides data, analysis, and recommendations based on open sources.

¨     It is widely regarded as a credible source of global security data and publishes authoritative resources such as the SIPRI Yearbook and Military Expenditure Database.

¨     Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden.