Poland tops NATO defense spending at 4.48% of GDP as all allies reach 2% target

Poland remains NATO’s top defense spender at 4.48% of GDP, the alliance said, as all members are set to meet the 2% benchmark this year for the first time since the Cold War.

File photo. A Korean-made K2 tank.

(PAP/Michał Meissner)

NATO headquarters published its latest comparison of defense outlays as a share of national economies, showing Poland as the only ally exceeding 4%.

Lithuania is expected to hit the 4% mark this year, while Latvia ranks third at 3.73%. Estonia, Norway, the United States and Denmark also spend above 3%.

Polska kolejny rok liderem zestawienia w NATO jeśli chodzi o wydatki na obronę - 4,48% PKB. Przełom u wszystkich sojuszników - po raz pierwszy od czasów zimnej wojny wydatki na poziomie co najmniej 2% PKB )(choć NATO masz już nowy cel) Najnowszy raport 👇 @PR24_pl pic.twitter.com/mKnBireUJk

— Beata Płomecka (@bplomecka) August 28, 2025

The figures are described as a milestone for the alliance: every NATO member is due to allocate at least 2% of GDP to defense this year.

Countries at the bottom of the table—Luxembourg, Spain, Czechia, Belgium, North Macedonia, Germany and Portugal—are slated to be the last to reach the threshold.

NATO’s 2% level has served as a minimum for more than a decade.

From this year, under U.S. pressure, the new goal is 5% of GDP, with 3.5% earmarked for rearmament and the remainder for broader defense needs such as cybersecurity and infrastructure.

(jh)

Source: Polskie Radio 24