Global defense spending reaches historic high, Ukraine ranks 8th — SIPRI

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) shared the information, Deutsche Welle reports.

In 2023, Ukraine became the 8th country in the world in terms of military spending, which increased by 51% to $64.8 billion, accounting for 37% of the country's GDP and 58% of government spending.

According to a SIPRI report published on Monday, April 22, Ukraine's military spending in 2023 amounted to 59% of Russia's. Additionally, Ukraine received at least $35 billion in military aid during the year, including $25.4 billion from the United States. In total, this aid, combined with Ukraine's own defense spending, equated to about 91% of Russia's military spending.

In Russia, such expenditures increased by 24% in 2023 and amounted to $109 billion (5.9% of GDP and 16% of state budget expenditures), which is 57% more compared to 2014, when it annexed Crimea.

Global defense spending reach a historic high in 2023

According to the report, as a result of Russia's war against Ukraine, Israel's war against Hamas, and tensions in the Pacific Asia region, global defense spending surged significantly last year, reaching a new record high. According to SIPRI analysts, in 2023, about $2.4 trillion were spent on defense. This is a 6.8% increase compared to the previous year.

In particular, spending increased in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. In general, for the first time since 2009, defense spending has increased in all five regions, SIPRI researcher Nan Tian told AFP news agency. According to him, the 6.8% increase was the highest year-on-year increase since 2009, and these figures reflect "the deteriorating state of peace and security around the world."

Who spent the most on defense in 2023 

In 2023, the United States led global defense spending with $916 billion, constituting 37% of the world's military expenditure. Alongside the United States, China, Russia, India, and Saudi Arabia rounded out the top five in military spending. Notably, Russia's war against Ukraine spurred increased defense spending in Russia, Ukraine, and several European nations.