Poland allocated just over PLN166bn (€38.8bn) to defence in 2025, equivalent to 4.3% of its GDP, the highest share among Nato members, according to estimates in the alliance’s annual report, published on March 26.

The figures, published in the annual report of Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, show a continued rise in Poland’s defence expenditure, up from PLN137.2bn PLN in 2024. 

Defence spending as a share of GDP has also increased steadily, from 3.76% in 2024, 3.26% in 2023 and 2.21% in 2022.

Rutte said total allied spending on core defence requirements exceeded $1.4tn in constant 2021 prices in 2025. 

“European Allies and Canada are doing more and investing more, in line with their increased commitments, with notable substantial increases in defence spending,” Rutte said in the report.

Rutte added that between 2024 and 2025, European Nato members and Canada recorded a 106% increase in defence spending in real terms. In 2025 alone, they invested a combined $574bn, representing a 20% year-on-year increase in real terms.

Beyond Poland, the countries with the highest defence spending shares relative to GDP in 2025 included Lithuania with 4% and Latvia with 3.74%.

Estonia followed at 3.42%, Denmark at 3.34%, Norway at 3.2% and the United States at 3.19%. Finland recorded 2.87%, Greece 2.79% and the Netherlands 2.59%.

At the lower end, Portugal, Spain, Albania, Canada and Belgium each met Nato’s minimum benchmark of 2% of GDP on defence spending.