Global military spending soared to a record US$2.7 trillion in 2024, marking a 9% increase from the previous year and threatening sustainable development worldwide, according to a UN report released Tuesday, September 9. The analysis warns that excessive military expenditure undermines peace by fueling arms races and diverting critical resources from stability foundations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that “excessive military spending does not guarantee peace” but often deepens mistrust between nations.
The surge follows a decade-long military buildup amid rising geopolitical tensions, with over 100 countries boosting defense budgets in 2024 alone. Military spending now represents 2.5% of global GDP and 7.1% of government budgets, up from 2.2% and 6.6% respectively since 2022. Current trends project military expenditure could reach US$6.6 trillion by 2035, creating an unprecedented resource diversion.
This escalation occurs as the world faces a $4 trillion annual financing gap for Sustainable Development Goals, potentially widening to $6.4 trillion. The report reveals stark trade-offs: a one percent military spending increase in developing countries correlates with nearly equal reductions in public health services. Meanwhile, modest military budget redirections could transform global welfare—just 4% ($93 billion) could end hunger by 2030, while 10% ($285 billion) could vaccinate every child worldwide.
The analysis demonstrates that civilian sectors generate more employment than military spending, with education creating 26,700 jobs per billion dollars compared to 11,200 in defense. Reinvesting 15% of military budgets ($387 billion) would cover annual climate adaptation costs in developing countries while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
