Overview

• Alliance estimates put total 2025 defense spending above $1.5 trillion.
• Only Poland (4.48%), Lithuania (4.0%) and Latvia (3.73%) currently exceed the new 3.5% core benchmark.
• The United States is at 3.22% of GDP but provides the largest share of NATO spending in dollar terms.
• Recent increases track Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and pressure from President Donald Trump for greater allied investment.
• NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said higher budgets must become real capability, stating that cash alone does not provide security.