2026-04-16 · percent of world military spending
U.S. military spending leads every other country
SIPRI tracks spending in current USD — the U.S. share still towers over peers.
The United States accounts for 38% of world military spending — more than any other country — in SIPRI's current-USD tracking for 2026. A share that large shapes alliances, deterrence, and defense budgets worldwide, and it still towers over every peer.
1 cell = 0.1 percent of world military spending (0.1% of world military spending) · 1,000 cells
Context
SIPRI measures spending in current U.S. dollars, so comparisons reflect both budget decisions and currency movements. In this edition, Asia & Pacific holds the next-largest share after the United States, at 32.2% of world military spending.
Africa follows at 17.4% of the world total, and the Americas excluding the U.S. accounts for 12.4% — together the four bands sum to all tracked spending.
Our World in Data's overview notes that militaries, even when not deployed, can divert resources from public priorities such as healthcare and education — one reason the size of each share matters beyond the battlefield.
Country shares of world military spending (SIPRI via Our World in Data), rounded.
Share and export
Credit this grid as Inagrid — https://inagrid.com/e/2026-04-16-pol-mil-us-share