Ukraine Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Ukraine's military spending was 48.88% in 2025, ranked 1st globally. This represents a 41.7% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1993–2025.
Overview
Ukraine's military spending stood at 48.88% in 2025, a rise of +14.39% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 48.88% by 2025. Ukraine ranked 1st globally.
Ukraine’s military expenditure has surged from a modest 0.43 in 1993 to a striking 48.88 in 2025, positioning the country at the top of the World Bank rankings for the latest year. This dramatic rise, representing an increase of more than 11,000 percent over 33 years, reflects the protracted security challenges that intensified after 2014 and accelerated following the large‑scale conflict that began in 2022. The 2025 figure not only eclipses Ukraine’s own historical low but also dwarfs the spending of its nearest peers, with Algeria reporting 8.04, Israel 8.00 and Qatar 7.70 in the same period. The all‑time peak coincides with the current year, underscoring a sustained escalation rather than a temporary spike. While the trajectory suggests continued high outlays as reconstruction and defense modernization proceed, any durable political settlement or substantial external security guarantee could temper future growth and alter the current upward path.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 67.53% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 58.20% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 48.88% | - | - |
| 2025 | 48.88% | +14.39% | #1 |
| 2024 | 34.48% | −2.05% | #147 |
| 2023 | 36.53% | +10.89% | #149 |
| 2022 | 25.64% | +22.22% | #150 |
| 2021 | 3.43% | −0.97% | #137 |
| 2020 | 4.40% | +0.33% | #142 |
| 2019 | 4.07% | +0.43% | #142 |
| 2018 | 3.64% | +0.39% | #142 |
| 2017 | 3.24% | −0.43% | #132 |
| 2016 | 3.67% | −0.18% | #136 |
| 2015 | 3.85% | +0.88% | #135 |
| 2014 | 2.97% | +0.57% | #127 |
| 2013 | 2.39% | +0.04% | #121 |
| 2012 | 2.35% | +0.10% | #116 |
| 2011 | 2.26% | −0.48% | #108 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Ukraine matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw military spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Ukraine's military spending was 48.88% in 2025. Ranked 1st globally. This represents a 41.7% increase from the previous year.
Ukraine's military spending peaked at 48.88% in 2025.
The lowest military spending in Ukraine was 0.43% in 1993.
Ukraine ranks 1st globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Ukraine's military spending is projected to reach 48.88% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Ukraine in 2025 was 48.88%. This ranks 1st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_ukraine_military-spending,
title = {Ukraine Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/ukraine/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}