In 2020, “only nine NATO allies were spending 2%” of their GDP on defense. “This year, 23 will spend at least 2%.”

During an address on the 75th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Alliance, President Joe Biden said that NATO allies have increased their defense spending. 

“In the year 2020 … the year I was elected president, only nine NATO allies were spending 2% of their defense — GDP on defense,” Biden said. “This year, 23 will spend at least 2%. And some will spend more than that.”

A White House spokesperson cited NATO’s most recent data, which supports Biden’s claim. In 2024, 23 of 32 NATO members will spend at least 2% of their annual gross domestic product to build up their defenses, June 2024 NATO data shows. That same report said nine allies met the defense spending goal in 2020.

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