How many NATO members spend on defense? These are the countries that spend more – and the least

On Wednesday, NATO leaders agreed to increase the goal of defense spending of 5 % of the economic output of each country by 2035, more than twice the previous goal of 2 %.

President Trump praised the new defense agreement, You call it “A massive victory for the United States” during a speech at the NATO summit in the Netherlands. Mr. Trump has A student again and again NATO allies boost their defensive spending, on the pretext that other countries are not commensurate with the United States.

In 2024, NATO member states spent 2.61 % of GDP (GDP) on defense, but the numbers vary greatly through the alliance.

according to Estimate22 coalition members met 32 ​​or exceeded the standard by 2 %, with less than nine target. Iceland is not included in estimates because it does not have armed forces.

What NATO countries spend on defense

Defensive spending covers the armed forces of the nation, including employees, equipment, ammunition and more.

NATO estimates indicate that Poland spent the highest percentage of the GDP of Defense and was the only country to spend more than 4 %. Estonia and Latvia followed, each of them allocating about 3.4 %.

The United States was estimated, in comparison, to spend 3.2 % of GDP (the largest) defense.

Nine countries did not reach the goal of the previous 2 % alliance, which was Approved At a summit in 2014.

Canada, Portugal and Italy each spent 1.5 % of their gross domestic product on defense. Slovenia, Belgium and Luxembourg came a little less.

Spain has allocated the smallest share of gross domestic product, by 1.2 %.

At the summit on Wednesday, President Trump devoted Spain for his criticism of the spending level, saying, “They want a little free trip.” Mr. Trump threatening To make Spain “pay twice as much” during commercial negotiations.

Spain Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez He said His country will not achieve the goal of defense spending by 5 %, describing the target 2 % “CAF” and “realistic” for the country.

Since NATO set defense spending goals in 2014, the average general spending between member states increased from 1.4 % of GDP to 2 % in 2024. However, the goals are not legally binding.

Rachel Rayso from the Center for Europe in the Atlantic Council He said The 5 % agreement language “may leave enough to maneuver for some allies (such as Spain) to cancel the subscription.”