Charted: Why NATO Still Depends on the US

What We’re Showing

This graphic breaks down NATO’s projected defence spending in 2025, highlighting how contributions are split between the United States and the rest of the alliance. Total NATO defence expenditure is estimated at $1.40 trillion. The chart compares the US share with the combined spending of European NATO members and Canada, showing both the absolute amounts and their percentage share of the total. The figures are based on NATO estimates, calculated using 2021 prices and exchange rates, with data updated as of June 3, 2025.

Key Takeaways

• The United States is NATO’s single largest contributor, spending an estimated $845 billion, or 60.2% of the alliance’s total defence budget.
• European NATO members and Canada together account for $559 billion, representing 39.8% of total spending.
• Without US defence spending, NATO’s overall military budget would shrink by more than half, significantly reducing the alliance’s collective capacity.
• Despite recent increases in defence outlays by European countries, the spending gap with the US remains substantial.
• The figures underline ongoing burden-sharing debates within NATO, reinforcing the central role of the US as the alliance’s financial backbone.