Last year, Bulgaria spent 2.208 billion dollars (3.964 billion leva), or 2.04 percent of its gross domestic product on defense. This is according to estimates from the published annual report of the Secretary General of the pact, Mark Rutte.
In this way, our country will for the first time meet the goal set by NATO in 2014. It provides for each member state to spend at least 2 percent of its GDP on defense. The goal was set after the Russian annexation of Crimea 11 years ago.
According to the estimate from the report, our country's GDP for 2024 is 108.425 billion dollars. This amounts to $14,200 per capita and means that we have spent $289 per person on defense. 16 countries in the Alliance spend more than Bulgaria.
Our indicators are equal to those of Albania. The largest expenses are in Poland - 4.07% of GDP, and the smallest in Spain - 1.24%.
Interestingly, the estimate for the USA is 3.19 percent. At the same time, US President Donald Trump insists that NATO member states spend at least 5 percent of their GDP on defense.
According to estimates for 2024, the military personnel in our country are 26,900 people. 32.47 percent of defense spending in our country is for military equipment. A little over half, or 51.59%, is for personnel. Only 4.56 percent is for infrastructure. 11.37% was spent on other areas.