Countries with the Highest Military Spending (2024)
Source: World Bank·25 countries·Updated 2024
Military spending reflects a nation's security priorities and geopolitical posture. Here are the 25 countries that spend the most on defense relative to GDP in 2024.
Ukraine leads with military spending (% of gdp) of 34.5%.
Israel ranks #2 at 8.8%.
Algeria ranks #3 at 8.0%.
Saudi Arabia ranks #4 at 7.3%.
Russian Federation ranks #5 at 7.1%.
Top 25 Countries by Military Spending (% of GDP)
| # | Country | Military Spending (% of GDP) | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Ukraine | 34.5% | 2024 |
| 2 |  Israel | 8.8% | 2024 |
| 3 |  Algeria | 8.0% | 2024 |
| 4 |  Saudi Arabia | 7.3% | 2024 |
| 5 |  Russian Federation | 7.1% | 2024 |
| 6 |  Myanmar | 6.8% | 2024 |
| 7 |  Qatar | 6.5% | 2022 |
| 8 |  Oman | 5.6% | 2024 |
| 9 |  Armenia | 5.5% | 2024 |
| 10 |  Libya | 5.3% | 2023 |
| 11 |  Azerbaijan | 5.0% | 2024 |
| 12 |  Kuwait | 4.8% | 2024 |
| 13 |  Jordan | 4.8% | 2024 |
| 14 |  Burkina Faso | 4.7% | 2024 |
| 15 |  Mali | 4.2% | 2024 |
| 16 |  Poland | 4.2% | 2024 |
| 17 |  Burundi | 3.8% | 2024 |
| 18 |  Brunei Darussalam | 3.6% | 2024 |
| 19 |  Morocco | 3.5% | 2024 |
| 20 |  United States | 3.4% | 2024 |
| 21 |  Estonia | 3.4% | 2024 |
| 22 |  Colombia | 3.4% | 2024 |
| 23 |  Latvia | 3.3% | 2024 |
| 24 |  Greece | 3.1% | 2024 |
| 25 |  Lithuania | 3.1% | 2024 |
Data from 153 countries is available. View full rankings →
FAQ
What is the highest military spending (% of gdp) in 2024?
Ukraine has the highest military spending (% of gdp) at 34.5% in 2024.
How many countries are included in this ranking?
This article features the top 25 countries out of 153 with available data. Full rankings available on the indicator page.
Where does this data come from?
Data is sourced from the World Bank. It is updated regularly as new releases become available.