European Union countries spent €343.2 billion on defence in 2024, with Germany and France together accounting for nearly 44% of the total, according to data from the European Defence Agency (EDA). The figures highlight a continued surge in military expenditure across the bloc, driven largely by rising concerns over Russia and shifting global security dynamics.
Germany topped the list with €90.6 billion, representing 26.4% of total EU defence spending. France followed with €59.6 billion, or 17.4% of the total. Combined, the two countries spent €150 billion on defence, reflecting their dominant role in European security. Italy (€32.7 billion), Poland (€31.9 billion), and Spain (€22.7 billion) rounded out the top five, accounting collectively for nearly 70% of EU spending.
At the other end of the scale, 14 EU countries spent less than €5 billion each, with eight of them under €2 billion. Malta recorded the lowest spending at just €99 million. Other countries in this group included Austria (€4.9 billion), Hungary (€4.5 billion), and Portugal (€4.2 billion).
Defence spending per capita also varied widely. Denmark led with €1,540 per person, followed by the Netherlands (€1,184), Finland (€1,140), Sweden (€1,073), and Germany (€1,069). France spent €869 per person, Italy €555, while Spain remained below €500 at €465 per capita. Malta had the lowest per-person spending at €174.
The sharp increase in defence budgets marks a nearly doubling of nominal expenditure over five years. In 2020, EU defence spending stood at €198 billion, rising to €343.2 billion in 2024, a 98% increase in nominal terms and a 63% rise when adjusted for inflation. The EDA projects spending will reach €392 billion in 2025.
Experts link the surge directly to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and concerns over the reliability of US support for European security. “Although defence investments were already rising, the war in Ukraine marked a major turning point,” said Calle Håkansson of the Swedish Defence Research Agency. Analysts warn that ongoing uncertainty around peace plans for Ukraine could pose long-term risks for the continent.
Historically, EU defence spending had been in decline before 2014, when Russia’s initial actions in Ukraine prompted a reversal. Since then, investment has gradually outpaced GDP growth in many countries, bringing them closer to NATO’s 2% defence-spending guideline. Earlier this year, NATO members agreed on a target of 5% of GDP by 2035, with 3.5% allocated to core defence and 1.5% to broader security infrastructure.
The spending rise reflects Europe’s focus on modernising forces, strengthening deterrence, and maintaining readiness amid an unpredictable geopolitical landscape. With Germany and France leading the way, the EU’s top military economies continue to shape defence priorities across the continent.
