World News: Interactive global map shows countries with highest military spending during ‘unprecedented increase’

Military spending across the world reached a staggering $2,443 billion last year, with the United States and China leading the pack in allocating funds to their military forces. According to figures released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), this marked the steepest year-on-year increase since 2009.

The top 10 largest spenders, including the United States, China, and Russia, all saw an uptick in their military expenditures. Particularly significant increases were noted in Europe, Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East. Russia’s military spending surged by 24 percent to an estimated $109 billion in 2023, a 57 percent rise since 2014 when the country annexed Crimea. Ukraine also saw a substantial increase in military spending, becoming the eighth largest spender in 2023.

The United States allocated a whopping $916 billion to its military in 2023, representing 68 percent of total NATO military spending. Meanwhile, China, the world’s second-largest military spender, dedicated an estimated $296 billion to its military, marking the 29th consecutive year-on-year rise in Beijing’s military expenditure.

The rise in global military spending has been attributed to the deteriorating peace and security landscape worldwide. States are prioritizing military strength in response to these challenges, but experts warn of a potential action-reaction spiral in the increasingly volatile geopolitical environment. As countries continue to bolster their military capabilities, the future of global security remains uncertain.