Global military expenditure sees steepest year-on-year rise since end of Cold War
ADVERTISEMENT
Global military spending reached its highest year-on-year rise since the end of the Cold War in 2024, a new study has revealed.
According to data compiled by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the world's 15 largest spenders all increased their military expenditure in 2024 compared with 2023, with growth especially rapid in Europe and the Middle East.
The world's top ranked spenders — the US, China, Russia, Germany and India — spent a combined total of $1.635 trillion (€1.437 trillion), accounting for 60% of total global military spending.
Meanwhile, real term military spending increased by 9.4%, taking worldwide total military expenditure to $2.718 trillion (€2,389 billion), and the global military burden — the share of global economic output devoted to military expenditure — increased to 2.5% of GDP.
Spending in Europe drives global surge
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the war has been a continual driver of increased military expenditure across the European continent.
All European countries, with the exception of Malta, increased their military spending in 2024, according to the report. Germany broke records in 2024 by spending €77.89 billion ($88.5 billion) on its military, making it the biggest spender of the year in Central and Western Europe.
Meanwhile, Poland's military spending grew by 31% to $38 billion (€33.4 billion) last year, or 4.2% of GDP. As for Ukraine itself, total military expenditure grew by 2.9% in 2024, hitting $64.7 billion (€56.8 billion). That equates to 43% of Russia's spending, and the largest proportional military burden of any country last year.
The SIPRI's study included Russia's spend of $149 billion (€131 million) in the European total, which reached $693 billion (€609 billion).
What's coming in 2025?
In 2023, the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) recorded a record-high number of 59 state-based armed conflicts, the most since their data collection began in 1946 — a trend which looks set to continue this year.
"As governments increasingly prioritise military security, often at the expense of other budget areas, the economic and social trade-offs could have significant effects on societies for years to come," said Xiao Liang, Researcher with the SIPRI Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme.
Related
Russia launches nearly 150 drones into Ukraine leaving at least one dead
Fact-check: Is the US blocking German plans to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine?
In March, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed the Rearm Europe Plan, which she said could see member states mobilise up to €800 billion to finance a massive ramp-up in defence spending.
"The latest policies adopted in Germany and many other European countries suggest that Europe has entered a period of high and increasing military spending that is likely to continue for the foreseeable future," said Lorenzo Scarazzato, Researcher with the SIPRI Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Euronews
24 minutes ago
- Euronews
Eurostar plans direct trains from the UK to Germany and Switzerland
Europe's rail renaissance is showing no signs of slowing as high-speed rail operator Eurostar reveals ambitious plans to expand its network. The company says it will introduce direct train connections from London to Germany and Switzerland, in what it calls the dawn of a "new golden age of international sustainable travel". The operator is also enhancing its existing offering by increasing services on popular routes. Here's what travellers can look forward to. Eurostar's proposed expansion includes establishing direct rail links between London St Pancras International and two key European destinations: Frankfurt in Germany and Geneva in Switzerland. The company plans to invest approximately €2 billion to acquire a substantial fleet of up to 50 new trains for the routes. These new services are expected to begin operating during the early 2030s and aim to rival air travel for the same trips. And journey times make the rail alternative attractive. Passengers travelling between London and Frankfurt can expect to arrive in approximately five hours, while those heading to Geneva will make the journey in around five hours and 20 minutes. Eurostar has not yet released details on intermediate stops and whether passengers will have the flexibility to get on and off at various points along the route. The new services are particularly aimed at business travel, with Eurostar's Chief Executive, Gwendoline Cazenave, highlighting that the destinations are 'big financial hubs'. Frankfurt and Geneva are also tourist hotspots, filled with culture, striking architecture and international events. Dates for the launch remain approximate as there are still several logistical challenges to implementing these new routes. These include expanding passenger facilities at destination stations, establishing new border control checkpoints, and securing track access agreements. Despite these hurdles, Cazenave remains optimistic about the project's success, citing strong commitment from Eurostar, passenger demand, and government support. Eurostar's expanded fleet will also enable it to increase frequency on popular routes. This includes boosting daily return services between London and Paris from 17 to 20. The company has also confirmed plans to introduce a fourth daily return service between St Pancras and Amsterdam beginning on 9 September, with a fifth service added from mid-December. Currently, Eurostar operates services connecting London to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and seasonal routes to the French Alps during the winter sports season. It also runs train links within Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands. The operator transported 19.5 million passengers last year - a five per cent increase from 18.6 million in 2023. The London-Paris route proved most popular with 280,000 passengers, followed by London-Brussels with 250,000 passengers. While Eurostar currently enjoys a monopoly on passenger services through the Channel Tunnel, several competitors are developing plans to challenge this, including Virgin Group, Italy's FS Italiane Group, and Gemini Trains. If you're looking for a paradisiacal seaside escape this summer, this new ranking might help you choose between Europe's myriad coastal delights. Each year, Tripadvisor, the world's largest travel guidance platform, releases a list of the world's top beaches based on reviews left by travellers on their website. Four European beaches made the top ten of their Travellers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Beaches for 2025 - including one that took the top spot. Here's where to find the best beaches in Europe for 2025. The analysis of Tripadvisor reviews concluded that travellers' favourite seaside spot in Europe for 2025 is Elafonissi Beach on the island of Crete. The Greek beach is back on the list for the first time in four years, soaring up 23 places to secure the number one spot. It is famous for its pale pink sand, which one reviewer described as 'breathtaking' at sunset. The beach has shallow lagoons perfect for paddling with children and deeper waters for swimming and snorkelling. Nature-lovers can take a cool hike in the surrounding forest of cedar trees or spot birds on the sandbanks. The fifth spot was taken by Praia da Falésia in Portugal's Algarve region. The beach is known for its sweep of dramatic, ochre cliffs, rising up 70 metres above the sand in some places. A scenic footpath runs along the top with sensational views. Down by the shore, the six kilometres of golden sands are perfect for sunbathing while beachgoers can take to the sparkling blue waters for swimming and body surfing. According to Tripadvisor reviews, the best time to visit is from April to October, when the weather is warm and sunny with minimal rainfall. The shoulder seasons of May to June and September to October also offer pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. Playa de Muro Beach in Mallorca, Spain, came in eighth place. Fringed by pine trees, it is a family-friendly spot with long stretches of golden sand and plenty of options for watersports. You can easily spend an entire day here, strolling, sunbathing, snorkelling, paddleboarding, or swimming in the warm sea. There are toilets, showers, and lifeguards on duty, and parking is free, or you can arrive by public transportation. With a Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers and mild winters, the best time to visit is between July and August. Another Greek coastal spot came in 10th place. Surrounded by mountains, Myrtos Beach on the island of Kefalonia is the perfect scenic spot for a peaceful beach day. Travellers recommend taking a dip in the cobalt blue waters or going snorkelling, then grabbing a bite at a coffee shop nearby. It rarely gets crowded, so there's plenty of space to hang out and just enjoy the vibe. Visit in the spring from May to June or in early autumn for pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
France 24
an hour ago
- France 24
Dortmund sign Bellingham brother Jobe from Sunderland
Dortmund announced the signing on Tuesday, the final day of the Club World Cup transfer window. "The England U21 international put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the eight-time German champions on Tuesday morning," Dormund said in a statement. Dortmund reportedly paid a fee of around 33 million euros ($37 million), with five million in additional bonuses, to secure the midfielder's services, the most the club has paid up front for a player. "I'm very happy to be a Borussia Dortmund player now and to fight for titles together with this great club," said 19-year-old Bellingham. "I want to play my part in celebrating success with these great fans here and will work on myself and with the team every day. And I'm very happy that I'll be wearing the black and yellow jersey at the FIFA Club World Cup." Dortmund's transfer record remains the 35 million euros paid to bring Ousmane Dembele from Rennes in 2018 although this was originally 15 million euros which rose by 20 million in sell-on fees once the player transfered to Barcelona. "Jobe is an extremely talented footballer with an impressive level of maturity and intelligence on the pitch for someone so young," said Lars Ricken, BVB Managing Director for Sport. "We have no doubt that he's the perfect fit for our philosophy of developing talented youngsters and giving them the opportunity to improve and establish themselves at the highest level. "His professionalism, his dynamism and his hunger to succeed will make him a real asset for our team." At 19, Jobe is two years younger than his Real Madrid and England midfielder brother. In moving to Dortmund, Jobe will follow in Jude's footsteps of trading the Championship for the Bundesliga and the Westfalenstadion. After leaving Birmingham City, Jude spent three seasons at Dortmund and has become one of the most recognisable players in world football since joining Real in 2023. As he did at Sunderland, the younger Bellingham will wear 'Jobe' on his jersey at Dortmund rather than his last name in a bid to distinguish himself from his brother. Jobe scored four goals and laid on three assists in 40 games for Sunderland this season as he helped the club win promotion to the Premier League. Brotherly face-off Jobe's signing means the two brothers could face off in this season's expanded Club World Cup in the United States, if Dortmund meet Real Madrid during the knockouts of the competition. Jude Bellingham joined Dortmund from boyhood club Birmingham in 2020 aged 17 for around 23 million euros, a fee which rose to 30 million euros when a sell-on fee was added after his 100 million euro move to Real Madrid. He made 132 appearances in yellow and black, scoring 24 times and laying on 25 assists, and helped them win the German Cup in 2021 alongside Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho. After leaving Dortmund, Jude faced off against his former side in the 2023-24 Champions League final, with Real winning 2-0 at Wembley. Jobe became the second-youngest Birmingham City player behind his brother when he made his debut aged 16 years and 107 days. He was named the young player of the season in the English second flight, again following in his brother's footsteps, five years on. "He's fit as a fiddle and raring to go," said club sporting director Sebastian Kehl. "He's determined to forge his own path at Borussia Dortmund and make his mark on how we play, and we're confident that he will do exactly that," added After a disappointing 2024-25 campaign, Dortmund snuck into fourth after a late-season flurry, picking up 22 of a possible 24 points in their final eight games and will take part in next season's Champions League.
France 24
an hour ago
- France 24
French Senate to vote on regulating fast fashion
The bill is targeted at Chinese-founded e-commerce giant Shein, which has a reputation for selling lower quality clothes at a very low price. Easy to order and replace, fast fashion items are exported to France on a large scale, causing pollution and saturating markets. Adopted by the lower house National Assembly in March 2024, the bill will be voted on by the Senate later on Tuesday and is expected to pass, with backing from the government and widespread support in the chamber. The vote is not the final legislative hurdle: a joint committee of senators and lower house deputies is expected to meet from September to produce a joint text, prior to the final adoption of the law. The text plans to "reduce the environmental impact of the textile industry", said Anne-Cecile Violland, the centre-right member of parliament who proposed the bill. Fast fashion is a growing market in France and between 2010 and 2023, the value of advertised products grew from 2.3 billion euros to 3.2 billion euros. Around 48 clothing items per person are released into the French market each year, and 35 are thrown away every second in the country, according to the state environmental agency Ademe. Fast fashion poses a "triple threat", said the minister for ecological transition, Agnes Pannier-Runacher. "It promotes overconsumption, causes ecological disaster and threatens our businesses," she said. Slamming an "invasion" of products that "do not last", the minister expressed hope it would help change things in Europe. Once adopted in France, the European Commission will be notified to ensure it complies with European law according to Pannier-Runacher. Targeting fast fashion The Senate, dominated by the right, modified the bill to target "ultra" fast fashion companies, such as Asian websites Shein ou Temu. The Senate's amendments plan to leave out French and European brands that may be affected by the bill, such as Zara, H&M and Kiabi. The fashion giants will still be obliged to notify their customers about the environmental impact of their products, according to the new bill. "I have no intention of making French brands that contribute to our country's economic vitality pay a single euro,' said rapporteur Sylvie Valente Le Hir, member of the right-wing The Republicans party. The bill will impose stricter sanctions on fast fashion companies by scoring their "environmental communication". This "eco-score" will affect all fast fashion companies, Pannier-Runacher said. Those with the lowest scores will be taxed by the government up to 5 euros per product in 2025 and up to 10 euros by 2030. This tax cannot go beyond 50 percent of the price of the original product. Advertisement ban The bill would impose sanctions on influencers who promote such products and ban fast fashion advertisements. The regulation of the fast fashion industry will only succeed with a "collective effort", and not by targeting "a single actor," Shein spokesperson Quentin Ruffat told RTL radio on Monday. According to Ruffat, the law will add "a tax of 10 euros per sold item of clothing by 2030" and "impact the purchasing power" of French people. Environmental organisations are also worried that the law may be misinterpreted. Debates may amount to an interesting framework which still lacks substance, according to Green Senator Jacques Fernique. On Monday, the Textiles Industry Union (UIT) recognised the bill as "a first step" and hoped for its "rapid adoption ... even if the text does not entirely fit our expectations".
