NATO Defense Spending 2024
NATO's 2% of GDP defense spending guideline has become one of the most discussed benchmarks in international security. Here's how member nations stack up against this target — and what it means for transatlantic defense.
Total NATO Spending
$1288B
Meet 2% Target
7 of 17
NATO Average % GDP
2.0%
| # | Country | Spending ($B) | % of GDP | 2% Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇺🇸 United States | $886.0B | 3.5% | ✓ |
| 2 | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | $68.5B | 2.2% | ✓ |
| 3 | 🇩🇪 Germany | $66.8B | 1.5% | ✗ |
| 4 | 🇫🇷 France | $61.3B | 2.0% | ✓ |
| 5 | 🇮🇹 Italy | $35.5B | 1.6% | ✗ |
| 6 | 🇵🇱 Poland | $31.6B | 3.8% | ✓ |
| 7 | 🇨🇦 Canada | $27.2B | 1.3% | ✗ |
| 8 | 🇪🇸 Spain | $20.3B | 1.3% | ✗ |
| 9 | 🇹🇷 Turkey | $19.2B | 1.7% | ✗ |
| 10 | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | $18.5B | 1.7% | ✗ |
| 11 | 🇳🇴 Norway | $10.4B | 1.8% | ✗ |
| 12 | 🇬🇷 Greece | $9.4B | 3.4% | ✓ |
| 13 | 🇷🇴 Romania | $8.5B | 2.4% | ✓ |
| 14 | 🇩🇰 Denmark | $8.1B | 2.0% | ✓ |
| 15 | 🇧🇪 Belgium | $7.1B | 1.1% | ✗ |
| 16 | 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | $5.5B | 1.7% | ✗ |
| 17 | 🇵🇹 Portugal | $4.4B | 1.5% | ✗ |
Understanding NATO's 2% Defense Spending Guideline
At the 2014 Wales Summit, NATO leaders agreed that each member nation should aim to spend at least 2% of its gross domestic product on defense by 2024. This guideline was established in response to growing security concerns, including Russia's annexation of Crimea and the rise of hybrid warfare threats. The 2% benchmark has since become a critical measure of burden-sharing within the alliance, with significant political implications for transatlantic relations.
The United States has consistently been the largest contributor to NATO's collective defense, spending far more than any other member in both absolute terms and as a share of GDP. This disparity has been a recurring point of tension, with American policymakers arguing that European allies need to shoulder a greater share of the defense burden. In recent years, geopolitical developments — particularly the conflict in Ukraine — have accelerated defense spending increases across Europe, pushing more nations toward or beyond the 2% target.
It is important to note that the 2% figure is a guideline, not a legally binding commitment. Defense spending effectiveness depends not only on the amount spent but also on how efficiently those resources are allocated across capabilities, readiness, and modernization. Some smaller NATO members with lower absolute budgets may contribute disproportionately through niche capabilities, geographic positioning, or operational deployments.
Compare NATO Members Side by Side
Use our interactive comparison tool to explore how NATO allies stack up across spending, GDP ratios, and military personnel.
Compare NATO Countries