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It is a target of NATO that every member country should spend at least 2% of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defense. This figure was agreed upon in 2014 by NATO Heads of State and Government to help ensure the alliance's continued military readiness. But by mid-July 2024, not all the alliance's 32 member states were meeting this target. Meanwhile, European NATO members are holding talks about increasing the alliance’s target for defense spending to 3% of GDP at its annual summit in June 2025. So, which member states have already met or are exceeding the current 2% threshold, and which nations are still failing to meet a benchmark agreed upon a decade ago?
Click through this gallery and crunch the numbers.
Note: Iceland, a founding member of NATO, is not listed. It's the only member of the alliance that does not have a standing army, though it contributes to NATO operations with financial aid and civilian personnel.
In 2024, Poland's defense spending as a share of its gross domestic product (GDP) was 4.12%, the highest of all NATO member states. That's equivalent to $34,975,000.
Second on the table, Estonia's defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 3.43%, or $1,437,000.
The United States' defense expenditure as a percentage of its GDP in 2024 was 3.38%, or $967,707,000. While this figure places it third on the table, the US' overall contribution in monetary terms is by far the greatest of any NATO member.
Latvia's defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 3.15%, or $1,421,000, placing it fourth on the table.
Greece takes fifth place, its defense expenditure as a share of its GDP leveling at 3.08%, or $7,684,000.
Lithuania's defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 2.85%, or $2,300,000. That puts it at sixth place on the table.
A recent addition to the alliance, joining in April 2023, Finland's defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 2.41%, or $7,308,000, putting it in seventh place.
In eight place on the table is Denmark. The country's defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 2.37%, or $9,940,000.
Ninth on the table is the United Kingdom. Its defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 2.33%, or $82,000,000.
In 10th place is Romania. In 2024, the country's defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 2.25%, or $8,644,000.
North Macedonia's defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 2.22%, or $353,000. That figure puts it 11th on the table.
Norway's defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 2.2%, or $10,606,000. Norway lies 12th on the table.
Bulgaria's defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 2.18%, or $2,325,000, placing the country 13th on the table.
At position 14 on the table is Sweden, another new member of the alliance. Its defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 2.14%, or $13,428,000.
Germany's defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 2.12%, or $97,686,000. That puts it in 15th place.
At number 16 is Hungary. Its defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 2.11%, or $4,889,000.
The Czech Republic's defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 2.1%, or $6,834,000. This figure puts it at 17th on the table.
Turkey's defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 2.09%, or $22,776,000. The country lies 18th on the table.
In 19th place is France. Its defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 2.06%, or $64,271,000.
In 20th place is Albania. In 2024, its defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 2.03%, or $516,000.
Montenegro's defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 2.02%, or $162,000. That puts in 21st place on the table.
At position 22 on the table is Slovakia. Its defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 1.99%, or $2,841,000.
In 23rd place is the Netherlands. Its defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 1.85%, or $21,460,000.
Croatia's defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 1.81%, or $1,624,000, to put it at number 24 on the table.
Portugal's defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 1.55%, or $4,627,000. The country lies in 25th place on the table.
Italy's defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 1.49%, or $34,462,000. It's placed 26th on the table.
In 27th place is Canada. Its defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 1.37%, or $30,495,000.
Belgium, where the alliance is headquartered, is in 28th place. Its NATO defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 1.3%, or $8,519,000.
Luxembourg's defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 1.29%, or $785,000, to place it 29th on the table.
Slovenia's defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 1.29%, or $949,000. It's at 30 on the table.
Spain's defense expenditure as a share of its GDP was 1.28%, or $21,269,000, to place it 31st on the table.
Sources: (Statista) (Al Jazeera) (BBC) (NATO)
See also: What you might not know about NATO
How much do NATO member states spend on defense?
What percentage of GDP do alliance members allocate to defense spending?
LIFESTYLE Geopolitics
It is a target of NATO that every member country should spend at least 2% of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defense. This figure was agreed upon in 2014 by NATO Heads of State and Government to help ensure the alliance's continued military readiness. But by mid-July 2024, not all the alliance's 32 member states were meeting this target. Meanwhile, European NATO members are holding talks about increasing the alliance’s target for defense spending to 3% of GDP at its annual summit in June 2025. So, which member states have already met or are exceeding the current 2% threshold, and which nations are still failing to meet a benchmark agreed upon a decade ago?
Click through this gallery and crunch the numbers (all figures in USD).
Note: Iceland, a founding member of NATO, is not listed. It's the only member of the alliance that does not have a standing army, though it contributes to NATO operations with financial aid and civilian personnel.