In 2023, the total expenditure of EU governments on defence reached €227 billion, accounting for 2.7% of total government spending across the bloc.
This figure represents 1.3% of the EU’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), reflecting an increase in the share of total government spending dedicated to defence compared to previous years.
According to Eurostat data on general government expenditure by function (COFOG), the proportion of government expenditure allocated to defence has fluctuated over the years. In 1995, it stood at 3.0% of total spending before gradually declining. However, recent geopolitical tensions have prompted a renewed focus on defence, leading to an increase from 2.4% in 2021 to 2.5% in 2022, and reaching 2.7% in 2023.
Greece Among the Top EU Defence Spenders
Among EU member states, Latvia recorded the highest defence spending relative to GDP, at 3.1%. Estonia followed with 2.7%, Lithuania at 2.5%, and Greece ranked fourth with defence spending amounting to 2.2% of its GDP. Other notable spenders included Poland (2.1%), Cyprus and Hungary (both at 1.9%), as well as France, Denmark, and Sweden, each allocating 1.8% of GDP to defence.
On the other end of the spectrum, Ireland registered the lowest defence expenditure at just 0.2% of GDP, followed by Malta (0.4%), and Luxembourg and Austria (both at 0.6%).
Greece’s position among the highest defence spenders in the EU highlights the country’s longstanding commitment to national security, particularly in a region marked by geopolitical sensitivities. As the EU collectively increases its focus on defence, expenditure trends indicate a growing priority on military preparedness and security investments across the continent.
Read more: Eurostat Reports
(Source: Eurostat)