Poland maintained its position as NATO leader in terms of defense spending. The annual report of the Secretary General of the Alliance shows that in 2025 our country’s expenditure amounted to PLN 166.186 billion, which corresponds to 4.3%. GDP.
This is the highest result in the entire NATO. The next places were taken by Lithuania (4% of GDP) and Latvia (3.74%).
Expenses increase from year to year
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The data show a dynamic increase in spending on the army in recent years. In 2024, Poland allocated PLN 137.176 billion to defense, and in percentage terms it was 3.76%. GDP.
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Even earlier, expenses amounted to 3.26 percent. GDP in 2023 and 2.21 percent in 2022. This means a significant acceleration of investment in the armed forces.
Converted into dollars, Poland spent USD 44.36 billion in 2025 compared to USD 34.45 billion a year earlier.
Europe increases spending on its army
The increase in defense spending is a phenomenon visible throughout NATO. As indicated by Secretary General Mark Rutte, the Alliance’s total expenditure exceeded USD 1.4 trillion (in constant 2021 prices).
European allies and Canada are doing more and investing more with their increased commitments, Rutte wrote in the foreword to the report.
Between 2024 and 2025, spending by European NATO countries and Canada increased by 106%. in real terms. In 2025 alone, they totaled USD 574 billion, which means an increase of 20%. year to year.
Who spends the most
After Poland, the list includes the Baltic countries and northern European countries. Estonia, Denmark, Norway and the United States are also at the forefront, spending 3.19% on defense. GDP.
Finland, Greece and the Netherlands round out the top ten. At the other extreme, there are countries that spend exactly the minimum required 2%. GDP. These are Portugal, Spain, Albania, Canada and Belgium.
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NATO defines defense spending as all government payments intended for the operation of armed forces – both domestic and those operating within the Alliance.
The largest part of these expenditures are funds from the budgets of the defense ministries, allocated to maintaining the army, military equipment and modernization.