Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria meets NATO's target of spending at least 2% of GDP on defense

Mark Rutte
Photo: BTA-archive

In 2024, Bulgaria spent USD 2.208 billion (3.964 billion BGN), or 2.04% of its GDP, on defense, reads the annual report of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. For the first time, the country has met the NATO target set in 2014, which requires each member state to spend at least 2% of its GDP on defense. Back in 2024, NATO members agreed to commit t least 2% of their GDP on defense following Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

According to the report, Bulgaria's GDP for 2024 is USD 108.425 billion, which translates to USD 14,200 per capita, meaning USD 289 per person was spent on defense. 16 NATO countries spend more than Bulgaria on defense. Bulgaria’s defense spending is on par with Albania. Poland is NATO’s biggest defense spender- 4.07% of the GDP. Spain is the alliance's lowest defense spender, setting aside just 1.28% of its GDP on the military in 2024. The Unites States spend 3.19% of its GDP on defense, reports the BNR’s correspondent in Brussels Angelina Piskova.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Christine Lagarde

Christine Lagarde: Joining the eurozone is just the beginning

The euro will help, but it does not on its own guarantee higher standards of living, said Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, at the high-level conference in Sofia titled ''Bulgaria on the Doorstep of the..

published on 11/4/25 11:40 AM

Premier Zhelyazkov: The euro is not just a currency, but a strategic choice

The adoption of the euro from January 1, 2026, is "one of the most important stages in Bulgaria's European path'', said Premier Rosen Zhelyazkov at the high-level conference titled "Bulgaria on the Doorstep of the Eurozone" held in Boyana Residence in..

published on 11/4/25 10:30 AM

A European Parliament committee will monitor road safety in Bulgaria

The European Parliament’s Committee on Petitions (PETI) has decided to monitor the state of road safety in Bulgaria. The decision came after hearing a petition submitted by Rosalina Gadyuchkova, a Bulgarian citizen living in the United Kingdom.  The..

published on 11/4/25 9:54 AM