Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/330668 
Year of Publication: 
2025
Series/Report no.: 
ZÖSS Discussion Paper No. 122
Publisher: 
Universität Hamburg, Zentrum für Ökonomische und Soziologische Studien (ZÖSS), Hamburg
Abstract: 
Introduction: Global military expenditure increased to about $2.4 trillion in 2023, basically driven by the Russia-Ukraine war and other geopolitical tensions (SIPRI 2024). According to SIPRI, the 6.8% rise in total military spending was the largest since 2009. As a result, the global military burden reached 2.3% of world GDP, with governments allocating an average of 6.9% of their budgets to defense. Policymakers frequently frame high levels of military spending as indispensable for maintaining deterrence and protecting national interests, thereby legitimizing disproportionate defense budgets. However, higher levels of military expenditure do not necessarily translate into greater peace or stability. On the contrary, they tend to intensify arms races and escalate geopolitical rivalries, thereby heightening the likelihood of conflict (UN 2025). A growing body of empirical evidence indicates that military spending crowds out resources vital for social investment, poverty reduction, quality and extensive education and healthcare, gender equality, infrastructure development, and environmental protection (Elgin et al. 2022; UN Women 2022; Elveren 2025a). (...)
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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