UNITED NATIONS: Global military spending surged to a record $2.7 trillion in 2024, outpacing investments in peace, education, and sustainable development, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Tuesday. He highlighted that the world spends far more on war than on building peace.
Record Rise in Global Military Spending
According to the UN report, defense budgets rose across all five regions, marking the steepest annual increase in three decades. Guterres noted that while trillions fund arms, just $300 billion could end extreme poverty worldwide.
“A more secure world begins by investing as much in fighting poverty as we do in fighting wars,” Guterres stressed.
The Human Cost of Overspending on Arms
The $2.7 trillion spent on militaries equals 750 times the UN’s 2024 regular budget. It is also 13 times higher than global development assistance by OECD nations. Redirecting even a fraction could fund universal education, healthcare access, clean energy, and climate resilience projects in developing countries.
UN disarmament chief Izumi Nakamitsu warned that rebalancing priorities is essential for humanity’s survival. With only one in five Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on track, the lack of social investment threatens progress on education, health, and poverty reduction.
Development as a Driver of Peace
UNDP deputy chief Haoliang Xu emphasized that improving people’s lives through education, healthcare, and economic opportunities builds more peaceful societies. Guterres echoed this, stating: “Investing in people is investing in the first line of defense against violence.”
Call for Global Rebalancing
The UN report urged nations to adopt a human-centered approach to security that prioritizes diplomacy, cooperation, and sustainable development. Excessive military spending fuels mistrust, arms races, and instability while diverting resources from peacebuilding.
Guterres concluded: “The evidence is clear—excessive military spending does not guarantee peace. It undermines it.”
