(ANSA) - BELGRADE, APR 8 - Conflicts have increased significantly over the last 15 years, according to the IMF's World Economic Outlook chapters on defence spending, conflicts, and recovery, forcing countries to rethink their priorities and fuelling the arms race. In the 2020-24 period, 50% of countries increased their budgets, and by 2024, nearly 40% had allocated more than 2% of GDP to defence, up from 27% in 2018. NATO countries agreed in June 2025 to increase annual spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, more than doubling the previous 2%. Poland leads the Alliance with 4.5%. (ANSA).