Overview of NATO’s 75th Anniversary
NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, was founded on April 4, 1949, with 12 original members. Over the years, it has expanded to include a total of 32 member countries.
Founding Members
- Belgium
- Canada
- Denmark
- France
- Iceland
- Italy
- Luxembourg
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Portugal
- The United Kingdom
- The United States
NATO’s Budget
In 2023, NATO’s budget was $1.26 trillion, funded by all member countries. Contributions are made through national defense spending, supporting operational readiness and strategic efforts.
Defense Investment Pledge
In 2014, NATO members agreed to invest at least 2% of their GDP on defense, aiming to strengthen collective security.
US Contribution to NATO
In 2024, the United States contributed $860 billion, comprising 68% of NATO’s budget and 3.49% of America’s GDP.
Contributions by Other NATO Members
Canada contributed 1.38% of its GDP, while European allies collectively accounted for 29.68% of the budget. Several countries exceeded the 2% defense spending guideline.
Historical US Contributions
Over the past 75 years, the United States has contributed $21.9 trillion to NATO’s military budget, surpassing all other member nations.
Future Outlook
NATO projects that by the end of this year, 18 allies will have met the 2% defense spending criteria, a significant increase from 2014.