Finland Surpasses Germany, UK, & Canada in Per-Capita Defence Spending

Finland spent 1,266 euros per inhabitant on defence in 2025, placing the country seventh among all NATO members in per capita spending. This rate exceeds the per capita defence spending of several major global economies, including Germany, Great Britain, Canada, and Italy.

According to recent NATO estimates, Finland’s total defense budget reached approximately eight billion euros last year. This per capita calculation divides the total defense budget mechanically across the entire population without factoring in individual tax contributions.

The data reveals that wealthy nations with smaller populations dominate the top of the per capita spending list. Norway leads the alliance by spending 2,559 euros per resident, marking the first time another member state has surpassed the United States, which spent 2,080 euros per person.

Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Sweden also rank ahead of Finland. Meanwhile, all NATO members combined average 1,212 euros per person, leaving Finland slightly above the alliance average.

In contrast, larger economies spend less per individual. Germany spends 1,063 euros per citizen, Great Britain spends 969 euros, Canada spends 889 euros, and Italy spends 675 euros.

The spending dynamics shift when defence budgets are compared to gross domestic product rather than population size. When measured against economic output, Poland and the Baltic states spend the highest share, while Finland ranks eighth, just behind the United States.

NATO member states have committed to raising their core defence spending to 3.5 percent of GDP by 2035. Members plan to allocate an additional 1.5 percent of GDP toward defence-related expenses, bringing the total target to five percent.

Spain is currently the only alliance member that has not committed to this five percent GDP target. Spain spent 584 euros per resident last year, while Albania recorded the lowest per capita spending at 133 euros.

These rising defence expenditures across the alliance are expected to be a central topic of discussion at the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye.

The 2026 NATO Summit

The 2026 NATO Summit is happening today and tomorrow (7–8 July) in Ankara, at the Beştepe Presidential Complex. It’s the 36th NATO summit, and only the second one Türkiye has hosted, following Istanbul in 2004.

All 32 member states’ leaders are there, chaired by Secretary General Mark Rutte, and Ukrainian President Zelensky is also due to speak alongside Rutte during the proceedings.

Finland’s delegation is led by President Alexander Stubb, joined by Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen and Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen.This is Finland’s fourth summit as a NATO member.

On the 7th, Stubb is taking part in a NATO Defence Industry Forum panel on “whole-of-society industrial preparedness.”