World spending on arms at the top since 1989

(ANSA) - STOCKHOLM, APRIL 27 - World military spending has reached the highest level since the end of the cold war in 2019, with the United States in the lead: this is what emerges from a report by the International Peace Research Institute of Stockholm (Sipri). Over the past year, military spending totaled $ 1,917 billion (1,782 billion dollars) worldwide, an increase of 3.6% over the previous year, posting the most significant change over 12 months since 2010 and the highest level ever since 1989. The highest military budget remains that of the United States, increased by 5.3% in 2019 to 732 billion dollars, equal to 38% of global spending. After seven years of decline - observes a Sipri researcher, Nan Tian - US defense spending started to rise again in 2018. Followed by China, India, Russia and Saudi Arabia: the first five together represent more than 60% of total military expenditure. However, the trend could be reversed for the coronavirus pandemic.