NATO allies step up defence spending

A record number of NATO members are expected to meet the alliance’s defence spending target this year, according to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg


Allies have boosted military expenditure as Russia’s war in Ukraine has raised threat of expanding conflict in Europe
 

ANNUAL CHANGE IN NATO DEFENCE SPENDING (%)* Based on 2015 prices and exchange rates

Mar 2014: Russia annexes Ukrainian region of Crimea

2021
Only six hit target

Feb 2022: Russia launches full-scale invasion of Ukraine

2024
Record 23 out of 32 allies hitting NATO target of spending at least 2% of their GDP on defence

-2.7 -1.3 -0.9 1.6  3.0  5.9  4.2  3.6  4.7  2.5  3.7  9.3  17.9

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024


*Figures include European allies and Canada only. Percentages for 2023 and 2024 are estimates. Figures from 2017 include Montenegro; from 2020, North Macedonia; from 2023, Finland; and for 2024, Sweden


Sources: Associated Press, NATO 
Picture: Getty Images 
© GRAPHIC NEWS