European Union Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
European Union's military spending was 1.88% in 2025, ranked 62nd globally. This represents a 0.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
European Union's military spending stood at 1.88% in 2025, a decline of +0.02% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.88% by 2025. European Union ranked 62nd globally.
The European Union’s military expenditure has fallen sharply from an early‑period high of 3.95 % of GDP in 1963 to a historic low of 1.30 % in 2015, marking a 66‑year coverage that reflects a long‑term de‑escalation in defense spending relative to its economic output. By 2025 the Union’s share had risen modestly to 1.88 % of GDP, placing it at rank 62 globally and aligning it closely with the Czech Republic’s 1.88 % and slightly below Norway’s 1.92 % share. This modest rebound follows a post‑2015 recovery that coincides with renewed geopolitical tensions in Europe, yet the level remains well beneath the all‑time peak and below the NATO guideline of 2 % of GDP. The trajectory suggests that any further increase will depend on the Union’s ability to coordinate fiscal commitments among member states and respond to external security challenges, while a sustained commitment to the 2 % target could alter the current downward trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 2.06% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 1.97% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.88% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.88% | −0.02% | #62 |
| 2024 | 1.90% | +0.26% | #84 |
| 2023 | 1.64% | +0.12% | #82 |
| 2022 | 1.52% | +0.03% | #80 |
| 2021 | 1.50% | −0.04% | #76 |
| 2020 | 1.54% | +0.16% | #77 |
| 2019 | 1.37% | +0.04% | #73 |
| 2018 | 1.34% | +0.02% | #72 |
| 2017 | 1.31% | +0.01% | #69 |
| 2016 | 1.31% | +0.00% | #68 |
| 2015 | 1.30% | −0.01% | #75 |
| 2014 | 1.32% | −0.03% | #75 |
| 2013 | 1.35% | −0.05% | #75 |
| 2012 | 1.40% | −0.00% | #76 |
| 2011 | 1.40% | −0.06% | #74 |
Analysis
European Union's military spending was 1.88% in 2025, a decline of −0.02% from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 1.88% by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
European Union's military spending was 1.88% in 2025. Ranked 62nd globally. This represents a 0.9% decrease from the previous year.
European Union's military spending peaked at 3.95% in 1963.
The lowest military spending in European Union was 1.30% in 2015.
European Union ranks 62nd globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
European Union's military spending is projected to reach 1.88% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of European Union in 2025 was 1.88%. This ranks 62nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_european-union_military-spending,
title = {European Union Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/european-union/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}