In this article, we look at the NATO spending by country per capita, with a focus on the top five countries. You can read about European countries racking up defense expenditure amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, by heading over to the NATO Spending by Country Per Capita: Top 15 Countries, where we have also shed light on different member states meeting or falling short of NATO’s military spending target.
5. United Kingdom
Military Spending Per Capita: $965
The United Kingdom is one of the most powerful countries in the world, and a key member of NATO. The country is estimated to have spent over $68 billion on defense expenditure in 2022. However, its current military spending per capita figure is the lowest since $985 in 2018. It did briefly go past $1,000 in 2021 and 2022, but has dipped below in 2023, according to estimated figures released by NATO.
4. Denmark
Military Spending Per Capita: $1,000
Denmark spent 1.65% of its GDP on defense expenditure in 2023. It has the fourth highest military spending per capita among NATO members. The government has plans to spend over 20 billion euros over the next decade in a bid to raise its spending share closer to NATO’s 2% expectation, which will further boost its spending per capita from the current level of $1,000.
3. Finland
Military Spending Per Capita: $1,153
Finland’s military spending per capita has increased from $647 in 2021 to $1,153 in 2023. It became the 31st member of NATO in April 2023, amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a year prior. The move prompted a warning from Moscow which threatened to bolster its defense in response. Finland shares a 1,340 kilometer border with Russia. Its defense budget for 2024 is 5% higher than in 2023, which is likely to further increase its percentage of defense spending as a share of GDP, which currently stands at 2.45%.
2. Norway
Military Spending Per Capita: $1,339
Norway has one of the highest military spending per capita in the world and ranks second among NATO members. The figure has consistently remained above the $1,100 mark since 2014, and grew to $1,339 in 2023. The country spent 1.67% of its GDP on defense expenditure last year, and has set a target to meet NATO’s 2% expectation by 2026.
1. United States
Military Spending Per Capita: $2,220
According to NATO, the United States is estimated to have spent over $860 billion on defense expenditure in 2023, which is more than double of all other members combined. It also has the highest spending by country per capita of $2,220 in the alliance, which is more than half as much as Norway’s, which finds itself at a distant second. The country has been consistently urging member nations to increase spending in order to meet NATO’s target to enable the alliance to be ready for challenges faced by its members.
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