Military Spending as Share of GDP Ranks Countries

Countries are grouped by military spending as a percentage of GDP, ranging from war-engaged economies to those with large defense budgets. Recent estimates for 2025‑2026 show Ukraine far ahead, allocating over 20% of its GDP to the military due to its active war. Israel spends 8‑10%, one of the highest peacetime ratios, while Saudi Arabia averages around 7%. Russia’s share has been 5‑6% in recent years, and the United States, despite its huge budget, spends about 3‑3.5% because of its large economy. NATO members typically aim for about 2% of GDP, with many countries below 1.5%. Generally, nations in war or high security tension see much higher ratios, whereas stable states stay within 1‑2%.