Spending on nuclear weapons increased in 2024 to over $100 billion dollars. ICAN publishes the only annual accounting of global nuclear weapons costs. The United States again spent more than all of the other nuclear armed states combined: $56.8 billion. China was the second largest spender at $12.5 billion, less than a quarter of U.S. spending. The third largest amount, $10.4 billion, or 10% of the total figure, was spent by the UK. All nine nuclear powers are increasing the amount they are spending on their nuclear arsenals to expand the capability and in some situations also increase the number and types of weapons they build. $100 billion could have been used to fund measures to address the threats posed to our security by climate change and the loss of animal and plant species, or to provide funding for improving essential public goods, such as healthcare, housing and education.Read More
