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Brussels – NATO member states spent a total of $1.303 trillion (28.6 trillion CZK) on defense last year. A total of 22 out of 32 countries, including the Czech Republic, met the target of spending two percent of GDP on defense. This is according to new statistics published by the North Atlantic Alliance.
The figures published by NATO show record defense spending, totaling $486 billion in Europe and Canada and $818 billion in the United States. In 2023, the total defense spending of the alliance was $1.18 trillion, of which $407 billion was in Europe and Canada and $774 billion in the USA. Just ten years ago, in 2014, Europe and Canada spent only $279 billion on defense, while the United States spent $740 billion.
European allies in NATO have been increasing their defense spending since 2014. At that time, they agreed at the summit in Wales to reach the level of two percent of GDP within ten years. Now, also in light of Russian aggression against Ukraine, the need for further increases is being mentioned more frequently, with values around three percent of domestic economic output being discussed from various capitals. The Czech Republic also plans to increase defense spending from the current two to three percent of GDP by 2030.
Countries are also responding to statements from the new American president, Donald Trump, who has threatened several times not to help those who do not invest more in military equipment. Washington’s position has forced some countries that have lagged in defense spending to double their commitments, noted the Euractiv website. For example, Belgium, which has so far spent 1.29 percent of GDP, Italy (1.5 percent of GDP), and Spain (1.24 percent of GDP) have committed to increasing their spending to meet the two percent target. Canada has not yet met this target, spending 1.45 percent of GDP.
The Czech Republic met the target last year, spending 2.08 percent of GDP on defense. According to statistics, Poland has the highest spending (4.07 percent of GDP), while the United States spends 3.19 percent of GDP. According to the American president, NATO allies should spend five percent of GDP on defense. Negotiations are ongoing, and NATO diplomats suggest that a compromise around the three percent or 3.5 percent mark could be reached. The final decision will be made at the North Atlantic Alliance summit, which will take place at the end of June in The Hague. (April 25)