Fact Check: Spain spent less than 2% of GDP on defense last year, the lowest in NATO.

Fact Check: "Spain spent less than 2% of GDP on defense last year, the lowest in NATO."

What We Know

The claim that "Spain spent less than 2% of GDP on defense last year, the lowest in NATO" requires careful examination. According to the NATO defense expenditure report, Spain's defense spending as a percentage of GDP was approximately 1.28% for the year 2024, which indeed positions it as the lowest among NATO member countries. This aligns with the assertion that Spain is not meeting the NATO guideline of 2% of GDP for defense spending, a target that was reaffirmed by NATO allies following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 (AP News, PBS).

Additionally, the World Factbook and Wikipedia provide contextual information about Spain's military expenditures, confirming that Spain's defense budget has been historically lower than the NATO target. The recent discussions within NATO have highlighted Spain's reluctance to increase its defense spending, as noted in various reports (Atlantic Council).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust, as multiple credible sources confirm Spain's defense spending is below the NATO guideline. The NATO report specifically states that Spain's defense expenditure is 1.28% of GDP, which is significantly below the 2% target. Furthermore, the Atlantic Council describes Spain's situation as "dead last" in terms of defense spending relative to GDP among NATO members.

However, it is important to consider the context of Spain's military expenditures. While Spain's spending is low in percentage terms, the country has been increasing its defense budget in recent years, reflecting a shift in policy due to changing geopolitical dynamics (PBS). This increase, although not sufficient to meet the NATO target, indicates a recognition of the need for enhanced military capabilities.

The sources used are generally reliable, with the NATO report being an official document and the AP News and PBS articles providing journalistic coverage of the issue. The Atlantic Council, while reputable, may have a slight bias towards advocating for increased defense spending among NATO allies, which should be taken into account when interpreting their analysis.

Conclusion

Verdict: Needs Research

While the claim that Spain spent less than 2% of GDP on defense last year and has the lowest defense spending in NATO is supported by credible evidence, further research is needed to fully understand the implications of this spending level. Factors such as Spain's historical defense budget trends, the context of NATO's spending guidelines, and Spain's strategic military commitments should be explored to provide a more comprehensive view of the situation.

Fact Check: Spain spent less than 2% of GDP on defense last year, the lowest in NATO.