More than half of the government’s estimated spending in Ukraine went to defense in 2024, the highest share among all the nations tracked globally. 

The data comes from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). 

As a visual aid, today’s infographic presents the top 30 countries with the highest share of government spending on the military. 

In many countries, defense spending typically accounts for less than 15% of government budgets. 

Ukraine’s allocation of 54% is more than three times that level. It proves the financial strain of prolonged conflict.

TL;DR

• African and Asian nations dominate the top 30 list of countries with the highest percentage of government spending on the military in 2024. 
• The administration of Donald Trump has proposed a $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027. It reflects the rising costs associated with U.S. military involvement in conflict zones.

Belarus Follows Close Behind

Ukraine is not alone in allocating a large share of its budget to defense.

Neighboring Belarus ranked second, allocating 50.7% of government spending to the military in 2024. Although Belarus is not officially engaged in active combat, it has remained closely aligned with Russia throughout the war in Ukraine.

The size of Belarus’s defense allocation suggests significant military preparation and readiness.

Middle East Countries Maintain High Defense Shares

Beyond Eastern Europe, several countries in the Middle East dedicate large shares of their government spending to defense.

Saudi Arabia ranked third globally, allocating an estimated 22.3% of its government spending to the military in 2024. 

These figures reflect persistent geopolitical tensions across the Middle East, where rivalries and regional security concerns continue to shape government priorities.

Recent developments have added to that pressure. 

The administration of Donald Trump has, in April 2026, proposed a $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027.

It points to the rising costs linked to U.S. military involvement in conflict zones and expanding global commitments.

African Countries Face Security Pressures

A notable cluster of African countries also appeared among those with high defense shares.

Somalia allocated 21.6% of its government spending to the military, placing it among the top five globally. Other African countries with significant shares included:

• Algeria: 21.4%
• Chad: 17.2%
• Burkina Faso: 17.0%

Many of these countries face insurgencies, border insecurity, or political instability. 

High military spending shares often reflect the need to manage internal threats as much as external ones.

Unlike wealthier countries, where defense budgets represent large sums of money, in lower-income states, a high percentage of defense spending can come at the expense of public services such as health and education.

Asia and Its Rising Regional Tensions

In Asia, several countries recorded moderate-to-high defense spending shares. 

Singapore and Oman both allocated around 20% of government spending to defense. 

Meanwhile, Taiwan devoted 12.1%. It’s a smoking gun for its ongoing military preparedness amid rising tensions with China.

Europe Responds to Rising Threats

It’s worth noting that France recently announced plans to increase military spending by €36 billion, following the head of its armed forces’ warning to lawmakers about the risk of a future conflict with Russia.

Meanwhile, countries such as Russia itself allocated an estimated 18.9% of government spending to defense back in 2024.

That places it among the world’s top military spenders by budget share.

So, What?

Military spending as a share of government budgets offers insight into national priorities in ways that total spending figures cannot. 

It reveals how much governments are willing to sacrifice in other areas to strengthen their armed forces.

Countries actively engaged in conflict show the highest spending intensity.

Sources: 

SIPRI Database