Defence data 2024-2025

In 2024, total defence expenditure by the 27 EU Member States reached €343 billion, marking a 19% increase from 2023, bringing defence expenditure to 1.9% of GDP. Estimated data suggests that Member States may reach beyond the 2% NATO guideline in 2025, to €392 billion (current prices, €381 billion in constant 2024 prices) or 2.1% of GDP. The upward trend highlights Member States' focus on enhancing military capabilities in response to the evolving security environment and the commitment to equip the armed forces of EU Member States with the military capabilities needed for defence and deterrence. EU defence investment reached a record-breaking level in 2024, exceeding the €100 billion threshold for the first time - reaching €106 billion. It accounted for 31% of total defence expenditure, the largest share recorded by the European Defence Agency (EDA) since data collection began. The trend is projected to continue in 2025, bringing defence investment spending closer to €130 billion. As in previous years, spending on defence equipment procurement was the main driver of the increase in overall defence investment. Defence equipment procurement expenditure reached €88 billion in 2024, growing by a record-breaking 39% compared to 2023. EDA assesses that the increase in defence procurement spending will likely continue in the coming years as several Member States have announced additional budgetary increases and signed major procurement deals in 2024, which will further bolster spending on new equipment. Defence Research and Development (R&D) spending increased by 20% and reached €13 billion in 2024, marking a sharp increase in growth. That compares to a 6% increase between 2022 and 2023. In 2025, spending is anticipated to rise further, amounting to as much as €17 billion. Yet despite the growing commitment of EU Member States to strengthening their R&D efforts, other international powers, notably the US, outpaced Member States in terms of total R&D expenditure as well as the share of total defence allocated to R&D.