Last year, global military spending increased by almost 7%, the highest growth since 2008. Governments spent over $2.4 trillion on personnel, equipment, and weapons in 2023. This amount is nearly three times the estimated $3 trillion needed to achieve all Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations, including eradicating hunger and providing essential services to developing countries. However, instead of investing in human welfare, this money is being used to arm countries to the teeth.
The optimistic peace dividend that was expected after the end of the Cold War in the 1990s has long vanished. With the Soviet Union’s collapse, it was believed that less spending on weapons could improve conditions for those less fortunate. Unfortunately, this hope was short-lived. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s aggressive stance, major world governments are shifting resources towards military expenditures instead of improving the lives of millions of people. This trend is global, with the top 10 military powers significantly increasing their military spending in 2023.
Russia increased its military spending by 24%, exceeding the budget of the UN World Food Programme by 13 times. Ukraine also raised its military spending by 51%, three times higher than Unicef’s budget for the most vulnerable children worldwide. What surprised many was the global impact of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The United States, for instance, increased its military spending to an unthinkable $916 billion, accounting for 38% of the world’s total military expenditure. While China’s military spending is lower than the US, it is 70 times higher than what the world spends on combating malaria.
Many argue that the arms race became inevitable when Vladimir Putin destabilized Europe by invading Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron is adamant that Europe cannot rely solely on an increasingly Pacific-focused Washington to counter China’s geopolitical ambitions. Even smaller military powers are increasing their military spending. Spain, for example, saw a $2 billion increase in military spending in the past year, similar to the global aid pledged to alleviate the humanitarian crisis caused by the Civil War in Sudan. Countries like Japan, once forced into pacifism after World War II, are actively preparing for potential armed conflicts.
In a more dangerous world, governments understandably feel pressure to arm themselves, but it remains a tragedy. One reason for Japan and Germany’s post-1945 economic and social success was the prohibition on military expenditure, which allowed resources to strengthen their economy and society. Whether necessary or not, this arms race impoverishes us all. The increasing militarization not only diverts resources from essential human needs but also poses a threat to global stability and security. The consolidation of military power by major nations raises concerns about escalating tensions and potential conflicts that could have catastrophic consequences for the world’s population.
