In 2022, the nine countries with atomic weapons (US, China, Russia, UK, France, India, Israel, Pakistan and North Korea) spent $82.9 billion on nuclear weapons. Around the world there are 12,500 nuclear weapons and EE.UU. has 5,244 in his hands. This was the country that spent the most, by far, $43.7 billion. The second is in China, with 11.7 billion, but with far fewer weapons (410). Although these numbers are large, according to ICAN, this is only 5% of the military budgets of the United States and China.

Russia was the third on the list, spending 9.6 billion, but invested more than 10% of its budget and Putin’s nuclear threat caused international concerns. According to ICAN, the threats caused the fear of citizens, especially in Europe. ICAN estimates that Russia currently has 5,889 nuclear weapons.

After the three large countries, the remaining six countries are listed as follows: UK 6.8 billion, France 5.6 billion, India 2.7 billion, Israel 1.2 billion, Pakistan 1 billion and North Korea 589 million. Last year, all countries increased their spending, except the US, but they continued to keep more than half the spending.

It is the third consecutive year in which nuclear expenditure is growing globally. According to Naiz, ICAN states that the arms companies were the main beneficiaries, receiving almost $16 billion in contracts with countries. Subsequently, the many think tanks were the players who received the most money, receiving payment from the arms industry and countries, to influence politics and public opinion.

As Naiz says, ICAN is based in Geneva and seeks to have all the countries of the world accept and accede to the United Nations Convention on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The United Nations Organization and ICAN work together to end nuclear weapons.