Military spending worldwide rises to record $2,443 billion - SIPRI

Military spending worldwide rises to record $2,443 billion - SIPRI

Kyiv  •  UNN

April 22 2024, 06:48 AM • 20214 views

In 2023, global military spending reached a record high of $2,443 billion, with the United States, China and Russia being the largest spenders, driven by Russia's aggression against Ukraine and other armed conflicts around the world.

Total global military spending increased by almost 7% compared to 2022 and reached $2,443 billion. The three countries with the highest military spending last year were the United States, China and Russia, UNN reports with reference to the Stockholm Institute of Peace Research (SIPRI).

Details

Russia's aggression against Ukraine and other armed conflicts in the world are driving military spending worldwide to a record high of $2,443 billion. According to the researchers, this is the sharpest annual increase since 2009. the top 10 largest spenders in 2023 were led by the United States, China and Russia, as these countries significantly increased their military spending, according to new data from SIPRI.

In particular, the report indicates an increase in military spending in five geographic regions, with particularly significant growth in Europe, Asia and Oceania, and the Middle East.

The unprecedented increase in military spending is a direct response to the global deterioration of peace and security

- said Nan Tian, Senior Fellow at SIPRI's Military Expenditure and Arms Production Program.

Russia's military spending increased by 24% to $109 billion in 2023, a 57% increase since 2014. In 2023, Russia's military spending accounted for 16% of total government spending.

U.S. military spending increased by 2.3% to $916 billion in 2023, accounting for 68% of NATO's total military spending. The United States remains NATO's main spending partner, but European members are increasing their share. The combined share of European members in NATO was 28 percent in 2023, the highest in a decade.

China's Military Spending Growth: China allocated approximately $296 billion for its military in 2023, up 6.0 percent from 2022. According to SIPRI's findings , this is the 29th consecutive year-on-year increase in China's military spending. China accounts for half of total military spending in Asia and Oceania. Several neighbors have linked the increase in their own spending to China's rising military spending.

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As for Ukraine, according to a SIPRI study, in 2023 our country was the eighth largest spender after a sharp increase in spending by 51% to $64.8 billion. The military burden of 37% accounts for 58% of total government spending, the researchers write.

Ukraine's military spending in 2023 was 59 percent of Russia's. However, during the year, Ukraine also received at least $35 billion in military aid, including $25.4 billion from the United States. Together, this aid and Ukraine's own military spending amounted to approximately 91 percent of Russia's.

Recall

UNN previously reported that  the United States may start sending military equipment to Ukraine, including long-range ATACMS missiles. 

According to Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Europe should increase funding for defense and security by cutting social welfare spending and lowering taxes.

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