ICAN says nine nuclear powers spent $119 billion in 2025, equivalent to $3,768 each second

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) reports that the nine nuclear-armed states increased their spending on nuclear arsenals by 19 % in 2025, reaching a total of $119 billion – roughly $3,768 per second. The United States led the spending with $69.2 billion, followed by China ($13.5 billion), the United Kingdom ($12.6 billion) and Russia ($9.5 billion).

ICAN also highlighted the size of the stockpiles: Russia holds the largest arsenal with 5,420 warheads, the United States 5,042, China 620, France 300, the United Kingdom 225, India 190, Pakistan 170, Israel 90 and North Korea 60. The organization noted that the amount spent in a single day could feed two million people, and that the money spent over the past three years could have ended global hunger. It added that the 2024‑2025 nuclear spending could have covered the United Nations regular budget for 32 years if redirected.