Data for 2024 shows that Estonia's spending is expected to total 3.43 percent of GDP. This is well above the alliance's 2 percent guideline. Last year, Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur said it would be approximately 3.2 percent of GDP.

Poland is forecast to be the biggest spender at 4.12 percent, and the USA third with 3.38 percent. Latvia (3.15 percent) and Greece (3.08 percent) round out the top five. Lithuania is just behind on 2.85 percent of GDP.

The new data shows that, for the first time, the majority of members have allocated at least 2 percent of their GDP to defense. Only eight countries were below the guideline.

NATO notes that the figures are estimates and the final figures could change.

While Estonia spends more than many other countries, the chief of the Defense Forces and top officials say much more needs to be done. Gen. Martin Herem has said it could temporarily be as high as 5 percent.

There are also calls to invest at least €1.6 billion in ammunition as soon as possible.

The government has said spending will stay above 3 percent for the foreseeable future.

Estonia also plans to push NATO members to commit to spending at least 2.5 percent of GDP on defense at the upcoming Washington Summit next month.

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