Thought for the day

NATO Less US Defence Spend Imbalance vs. Russia
Still Favours NATO


 
Last updated: 2 January 2024
 
Previous days NATO vs. Russia Thoughts looked at resources available to the potential combatants. And NATO defence expenditure vs. Russia.

Today's chart looks at actual defence expenditures of NATO countries combined, and at the change when the US spend is excluded from the NATO total, plus a comparison with Russia. It should be remembered that not all defence expenditure is directed towards the Ukraine. But as the chart shows, NATO is much reduced in size in comparison with Russia when US expenditure is excluded. The balance of power still favours NATO, but to a lesser extent.

NATO’s Combined GDP Dwarfs Russia’s
GDP in Purchasing Power Parity Terms, Billions, Int$
NATO Less US Defence Spend Imbalance vs. Russia - Still Favours NATO





Notes: GDP in 2017 Purchasing Power Parity terms with added estimates for the size of the informal economy and adjustments for out-of-date GDP base year data. NATO defence spending data as per NATO figures. Russia’s military spending estimated at 6% of GDP.

 See more data...



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