The UK spent about 2.3% of its GDP on defence in 2024, according to the latest NATO-based estimate. The UK government has also committed to raising that to 2.5% of GDP by 2027.

Context

That 2.3% figure is the broad NATO-style defence measure, which is the standard used for international comparison.

In plain terms

  • 2024: about 2.3% of GDP.
  • Target by 2027: 2.5% of GDP.
  • Longer term, defence spending had fallen for decades before stabilizing recently.

One-line answer

If you just want the quick number: roughly 2.3% of GDP.