In 2026, Kazakhstan became the leader in Central Asia for military spending per capita, allocating $288 per person annually.

Globally, Israel and the US remain at the top of military expenditure rankings, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

According to SIPRI estimates, worldwide military spending has already exceeded $2.6 trillion and continues to grow amid rising geopolitical tensions.

Measured per person, Israel leads with approximately $3,700 annually, followed by the US ($2,400) and Australia ($2,100). Germany and Russia each spend roughly $1,500 per capita. In contrast, populous countries allocate significantly less: China - $214, India - $77.

In Central Asia, Kazakhstan ranks first at $288 per person, followed by Turkmenistan ($254) and Uzbekistan ($170). Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan trail with $106 and $43, respectively.

Experts note that per capita military spending depends not only on economic capacity but also on security concerns: countries facing higher risks tend to devote more resources to defense, regardless of population size.