神马午夜福利网

'Rebalancing world military spending for a sustainable and peaceful future' report banner illustration

The true cost of peace

Rebalancing world military spending for a sustainable and peaceful future

Global military spending is soaring, fueling a new arms race and placing immense pressure on national budgets and priorities.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, a staggering $2.7 trillion was spent on militaries in 2024. This marks a more than 9 per cent jump from the previous year—the steepest increase since the Cold War and the tenth consecutive year of growth.

The Cost to Sustainable Development and Peace

This unprecedented military spending surge is occurring as global security deteriorates and progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—the world's blueprint for a more equitable future—is falling short. In response, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has released a new report, .

The report offers a stark warning: if current trends persist, global military spending could reach $4.7 to $6.6 trillion by 2035. A $6.6 trillion annual military budget would be nearly five times the level at the end of the Cold War and more than twice of what was spent in 2024.

This trajectory of accelerated militarization poses a serious threat to humanity's future by diverting critical resources from sustainable development and peace-building initiatives.

The Security We Need

Rebalancing Military Spending for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future

Global military spending is rising significantly across all regions driven by escalating geopolitical tensions, conflicts and perceived security threats. But does increasing military spending truly guarantee security? No, it often fuels arms races, deepens mistrust among countries and further destabilizes international relations.

The Secretary-General’s report, as requested by UN Member States in the 2024 Pact for the Future, examines the difficult trade-offs presented by the increasing global military spending, making a powerful case for investing in peace and in people's futures.

It proposes a shift towards a human-centered and multidimensional approach to security, one that prioritizes diplomacy, cooperation, sustainable development and disarmament over military build ups.

| | Press release | Key messages | Fact sheet | Media advisory | Remarks of the UN Secretary-General | |

Investing in humanity, not arms

Breaking down the global military spending

The $2.7 trillion question

War, conflict, and crisis. For ten years, the world's answer has been defense, with military spending reaching a record $2.7 trillion last year.

This choice has a steep cost. It drains money from vital areas like ending hunger and poverty. A billion dollars spent on the military creates jobs, but the same money invested in education creates more than double the opportunities.

The path forward is clear. We can continue to fund conflict, or we can invest in sustainable development to build a future that is truly secure for everyone.

More stories

An illustration of the lunar module from the window of apollo 11'

Disarmament by the numbers

World military spending continues to soar. The human and economic toll of violence remains staggering. Learn more about the need for disarmament and arms control.

A photograph showing two landmine clearing workers in a field, with landmine detection equipment and wearing protective face-shields and clothing

Why mine action matters

More than 25 years have passed since the Mine Ban Treaty was established. Since then, millions of landmines have been successfully removed, but significant challenges remain.

A photograph showing a nuclear explosion with a mushroom cloud billowing upwards

What is nuclear disarmament?

Today, more than 12,000 nuclear weapons remain an existential threat to humanity. Learn more about what nuclear disarmament means and how global efforts have evolved over the years.