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    World’s Most Expensive Militaries in 2026, Ranked by Defense Budget

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    The world’s military budgets totaled $2.6 trillion in 2025, and the US accounted for more than a third of that.

    The US has the world’s most expensive military, spending nearly $1 trillion on defense. That’s over three and a half times China’s reported defense budget, the next largest.

    From spending on nuclear technology to advanced aircraft and warships, the world’s top militaries allocate hundreds of billions of dollars each year to stay ahead.

    In some countries, big-ticket items such as naval assets or technologically advanced aircraft or missiles account for the bulk of military spending, while others devote large sums to maintaining large conscription troop systems.

    Ultimately, military spending varies by country depending on location and interests, Gian Gentile, a retired US Army colonel and senior historian at RAND, told Business Insider. Some countries prioritize homeland defense while others value overmatch and far-reaching power projection.

    “The US spends a lot on more sophisticated, extremely precise weapon systems,” he said.

    A military’s budget can be measured either as a total amount or as a share of its country’s GDP, reflecting the burden on its economy. Worldwide, countries spent an average of 2.01% of their GDP on defense in 2025.

    Wartime spending as a share of GDP typically rises, putting strain on the civilian economy, said Mark Cancian, a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Ukraine in 2025, for example, devoted over 20% of its GDP to its military, the highest share globally.

    Spending statistics help paint a picture of defense priorities, but they don’t always translate into readiness for conflict.

    “Readiness is very expensive, and perishable,” Cancian said.

    A country’s on-paper investment in its defense systems doesn’t always translate directly into military capability, he added. Training and maintenance are often overlooked in analyses of spending on equipment and technologies.

    A particularly high cost when it comes to technologically advanced aircraft, for instance, is maintenance and sustainment.

    Still, looking at military budgets can reveal how much capital each country relies on to defend itself.

    Last year, the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a London-based think tank, released its Military Balance report, which included data on nearly every country’s defense budget based on each’s reported 2025 figures.

    The report includes each country’s total budget (in US dollars), per-capita figures, and defense budget as a share of GDP. Some countries, such as North Korea, Libya, Syria, Cuba, and Afghanistan, did not publicly report their defense budgets.

    These are the 35 countries that spend the most on their military, ranked by the size of their defense budgets.

    35. Vietnam


    Vietnamese People's Army soldiers march during a parade marking Vietnam's 80th National Day celebrations in Hanoi on September 2, 2025.

    Vietnam has the largest reserves in the world, with an estimated 5 million reservists.

    NHAC NGUYEN/AFP via Getty Images

    Defense budget: $8.41 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $79

    Percentage of GDP: 1.74%

    34. Romania


    Soldiers participate in military activities during the media day of the Multi-Domain Command Europe multinational exercise Dynamic Front, supported by NATO allied forces, at the military base in Cincu, Brasov county, Romania, 09 February 2026.

    Romania budgets for about $527 per resident for its defense forces.

    Alex Nicodim/Anadolu via Getty Images

    Defense budget: $9.48 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $527

    Percentage of GDP: 2.24%

    33. Pakistan


    Pakistani soldiers

    Pakistan spent a total of $10.02 on its military in 2025.

    Abdul BASIT / AFP via Getty Images

    Defense budget: $10.02 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $39

    Percentage of GDP: 2.44%

    32. Qatar


    A general view show armoured vehicles rolling during the military parade marking the Gulf emirate's National Day celebrations in Doha on December 18, 2012

    Qatar had the second-highest military budget per capita in the world in 2025, at $3,935 per resident.

    KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images

    Defense budget: $10.11 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $3,935

    Percentage of GDP: 4.55%

    31. Mexico


    The Isla Holbox (BAL-02) vessel belonging to the Mexican Navy (SEMAR), intended for humanitarian aid, is docked at Veracruz port in Veracruz, Mexico, on February 6, 2026. Mexico will ship humanitarian aid to Cuba in the coming days while continuing to negotiate with Washington on the possibility of circumventing a US oil siege, President Claudia Sheinbaum said on February 6.

    Mexico allocates 0.61% of its GDP to military funding, per the IISS report.

    Victoria Razo / AFP

    Defense budget: $11.36 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $86

    Percentage of GDP: 0.61%

    30. Denmark


    Royal Danish Navy patrol ship

    Denmark spent about $2,013 per resident on defense in 2025.

    Florent VERGNES / AFP via Getty Images

    Defense budget: $12.18 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $2,013

    Percentage of GDP: 2.65%

    29. Iraq


    Iraq military

    Iraq budgeted for 4.78% of its GDP on military spending in 2025, IISS reported.

    Zaid AL-OBEIDI / AFP

    Defense budget: $12.68 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $295

    Percentage of GDP: 4.78%

    28. Belgium


    Belgian Land Force

    Belgium spent nearly $14 billion on its defense funding in 2025.

    JULIEN WARNAND / BELGA MAG / Belga / AFP via Getty Images

    Defense budget: $13.9 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $1,161

    Percentage of GDP: 1.94%

    27. Indonesia


    Indonesian National Armed Forces troops stand in formation during preparations for deployment in Myanmar as part of the Indonesian government's relief mission to assist earthquake victims, at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta on March 31, 2025

    Indonesia allocates about $53 per resident on its military each year, per its 2025 budget.

    BAY ISMOYO / AFP

    Defense budget: $15.08 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $53

    Percentage of GDP: 1.04%

    26. Norway


    Norwegian soldiers march during a military parade on Armed Forces Day in Vilnius.

    In 2025, Norway spent about $2,966 per resident on defense.

    Yauhen Yerchak/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

    Defense budget: $16.44 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $2,966

    Percentage of GDP: 3.18%

    25. Sweden


    An NH90 helicopter is seen in flight after departing from a temporary base during the Nordic Response military exercise on March 07, 2024 in Kiruna, Sweden. The exercise, which primarily takes place across Scandinavia from March 3-14, features 20,000 troops from 13 allied countries. Following the recent NATO expansion, the group now includes Finland and Sweden.

    Sweden’s defense budget amounts to about $1,602 per resident each year.

    Leon Neal/Getty Images

    Defense budget: $17.06 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $1,602

    Percentage of GDP: 2.58%

    24. Singapore


    The mobile column from the Singapore Armed Forces takes part in a parade during Singapore's 50th National day anniversary celebration at the Padang in Singapore on August 9, 2015

    Singapore has the fourth-highest defense budget per capita in the world.

    ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images

    Defense budget: $17.99 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $2,958

    Percentage of GDP: 3.13%

    23. Taiwan


    Taiwan air force

    Taiwan budgets for 2.4% of its GDP on its military, or about $898 per resident, according to IISS.

    I-Hwa Cheng / AFP

    Defense budget: $21.2 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $898

    Percentage of GDP: 2.4%

    22. Turkey


    Turkish military on the Turkish-Iranian border

    Turkey’s defense budget was over $21 billion, per the IISS report.

    Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images

    Defense budget: $21.48 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $254

    Percentage of GDP: 1.37%

    21. United Arab Emirates


    The United Arab Emirates Air Force's newly re-equipped Fursan Al-Emarat aerobatic display team flies the Hongdu L-15 advanced jet trainer from China at the Dubai Airshow on November 16, 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

    The United Arab Emirates has the seventh-highest defense budget per capita in the world.

    VCG/VCG via Getty Images

    Defense budget: $21.68 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $2,148

    Percentage of GDP: 3.81%

    20. Brazil


    Brazilian military parade

    Brazil spends about 1.11% of its GDP on its military, according to its 2024 budget.

    Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images

    Defense budget: $24.27 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $110

    Percentage of GDP: 1.08%

    19. Algeria


    Algeria's military

    Algeria spends the second-highest percentage of GDP on its military.

    NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Defense budget: $25.21 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $528

    Percentage of GDP: 8.75%

    18. Spain


    Spanish military

    Spain budgeted about 1.53% of its GDP for military spending in 2025.

    picture alliance/dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images

    Defense budget: $28.91 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $611

    Percentage of GDP: 1.53%

    17. The Netherlands


    Dutch military drone

    The Netherlands budgeted $1,633 per resident on its military.

    Remko de Waal / ANP / AFP

    Defense budget: $29.12 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $1,633

    Percentage of GDP: 2.2%

    16. Canada


    Canadian Armed Forces

    Canada’s military budget was over $31 billion in 2025.

    Artur Widak/NurPhoto

    Defense budget: $31.21 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $797

    Percentage of GDP: 1.37%

    15. Poland


    Soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces ride a battle tank

    Poland spends over 3% of its GDP on its military.

    Aleksander Kalka/NurPhoto

    Defense budget: $33.18 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $865

    Percentage of GDP: 3.19%

    14. Australia


    Australian air forces helicopter

    Australia’s defense budget equals around $1,378 per resident.

    Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

    Defense budget: $37.28 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $1,378

    Percentage of GDP: 2.04%

    13. Israel


    IDF soldiers prepare tanks on August 18, 2025 near the Gaza Strip's northern borders

    At $4,153 per resident, Israel had the largest military budget per capita in the world.

    Elke Scholiers/Getty Images

    Defense budget: $39.68 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $4,153

    Percentage of GDP: 6.5%

    12. Italy


    Members of the Italian armed force (82° Reggimento Fanteria "Torino") parade during the celebrations for the 76th anniversary of the proclamation of the Italian Republic (Republic Day), on June 2, 2022 in Rome, Italy.

    Italy allocates about 1.58% of its GDP on military spending, according to its 2025 budget.

    Antonio Masiello/Getty Images

    Defense budget: $40.09 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $658

    Percentage of GDP: 1.58%

    11. South Korea


    South Korea military

    South Korea’s military budget reached nearly $44 billion in 2025, per IISS’ reporting.

    Kim Jae-Hwan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

    Defense budget: $43.84 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $851

    Percentage of GDP: 2.36%

    10. Ukraine


    Ukrainian military

    Ukraine budgeted the highest percentage of its GDP for defense among countries, a common practice during wartime.

    Tetiana DZHAFAROVA / AFP

    Defense budget: $44.44 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $1,217

    Percentage of GDP: 21.19%

    9. Japan


    Japan military

    Japan’s defense budget was nearly $59 billion in 2025.

    JIJI Press / AFP

    Defense budget: $58.91 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $480

    Percentage of GDP: 1.38%

    8. France


    French soldiers wait for the arrival of French President at the Istres military air force base where he is scheduled to deliver his New Year's address to the armed forces in Istres, southern France, on January 15, 2026.

    France budgeted just over 2% of its GDP for defense funding in 2024.

    Philippe Magoni / POOL / AFP

    Defense budget: $70 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $1,022

    Percentage of GDP: 2.08%

    7. Saudi Arabia


    Saudi armed forces show their skills during a drill in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on August 13, 2018, ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

    Saudi Arabia has the seventh-highest defense budget per capita at $1,951 per resident.

    BANDAR ALDANDANI/AFP via Getty Images

    Defense budget: $72.53 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $1,951

    Percentage of GDP: 5.72%

    6. India


    Indian Air Force's Sarang helicopter display team fly in formation during a media preview aerial display ahead of the Singapore Airshow in Singapore on February 1, 2026.

    India budgeted for about $55 per resident.

    Roslan RAHMAN / AFP

    Defense budget: $78.31 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $55

    Percentage of GDP: 1.9%

    5. United Kingdom


    Members of the British military at RAF Leeming prepare for Exercise Hyperion Storm, a joint force validation exercise with the UK Special Operations Forces being held at RAF Leeming and the Otterburn Training Area in the north of England. Picture date: Friday January 30, 2026.

    The United Kingdom’s defense budget in 2025 was over $94 billion, per the report.

    Owen Humphreys – PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images

    Defense budget: $94.26 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $1,371

    Percentage of GDP: 2.38%

    4. Germany


    German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and Bavarian State Premier Markus Soeder attend the inauguration of the Innovation Center of the German Armed Forces Bundeswehr in Erding, Bavaria, southern Germany on February 2, 2026.

    Germany has the highest-funded military in Europe.

    Michaela Stache / AFP

    Defense budget: $107.31 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $1,277

    Percentage of GDP: 2.14%

    3. Russia


    Russian tanks roll on Red Square during the Victory Day military parade, marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, on May 9, 2025 in Moscow, Russia. Russia marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II over Nazi Germany and its allies.

    Russia spends a higher percentage of its GDP on defense spending than other nations.

    VCG/VCG via Getty Images

    Defense budget: $161.18 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $1,150

    Percentage of GDP: 6.34%

    2. China


    CJ-20A air-launched cruise missiles are seen during a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on September 3, 2025.

    China’s defense budget is equal to $178 per resident.

    Greg Baker / AFP

    Defense budget: $251.29 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $178

    Percentage of GDP: 1.3%

    1. United States


    U.S. Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion's (LCAC) unload equipment onto the beach as U.S. Marine Corps V-22 Ospreys and CH-53 Super Stallions fly overhead during the America's Marines 250 event at Camp Pendleton's Red Beach on October 18, 2025 in Oceanside, California. The U.S. Marines are marking their 250th anniversary with a live amphibious assault demonstration entitled "Sea To Shore--A Review of Amphibious Strength" and visits from Vice President JD Vance and War Secretary Pete Hegseth.

    The US also has the fifth-highest military budget per capita.

    Mario Tama/Getty Images

    Defense budget: $921.02 billion

    Defense budget per capita: $2,725

    Percentage of GDP: 3.01%

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