Ukraine 🇺🇦 Becomes World’s No. 7 Military Spender As War Drives Record 40% of GDP to Defense

04/27/2026

Ukraine ranked seventh in the world for total military expenditure in 2025, surpassing Saudi Arabia, as defense spending reached a historic high both in absolute terms and as a share of the country’s economy.

According to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on April 27, Ukraine’s military spending increased by around 20% in 2025 to $84.1 billion. SIPRI data shows that this amount accounted for approximately 40% of Ukraine’s GDP—the highest ratio recorded globally.

SIPRI figures indicate that Ukraine’s defense spending has grown significantly over the past decade, rising by more than 1500% compared to 2016 levels. In global rankings by total expenditure, Ukraine placed behind the United States, China, Russia, Germany, India, and the United Kingdom.

The United States remained the largest military spender in 2025 with $954 billion, followed by China at $336 billion and Russia at $190 billion. Germany and India reported $114 billion and $92.1 billion, respectively, while the United Kingdom spent $89 billion.