Defense spending among EU member states has reached a new record of €343 billion, according to fresh data from the European Defence Agency (EDA).
From 2023 to 2024, member states increased investments by 19%, with the largest share going to military equipment, totaling €88 billion — a 39% increase compared to last year.
Spending on Defense Research & Development (R&D) also rose by 20%, reaching €13 billion.
Currently, the annual cost per EU citizen for defense is estimated at €764.
The EDA warns, however, that while Central and Eastern European countries are boosting investments at a faster pace, higher budgets alone are not enough. Without stronger coordination and cooperation within the EU, Europe risks inefficiency in building credible defense capabilities, despite the funding surge.
