Increase in Global Spending on Nuclear Weapons
During 2023, global spending on nuclear weapons reached a record $91.4 billion, representing a 13% increase compared to the previous year. This significant increase is largely attributed to the sharp increase in US defense budgets, at a time of maximum geopolitical uncertainty due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the war between Israel and Hamas.
Spending by the Nine Nuclear Weapons Nations
It is noted that the world’s nine nuclear-armed nations are increasing their spending in this area. China is positioned as the second state that spends the most, with a budget of 11.9 billion dollars, followed by Russia, the United Kingdom and France. However, estimates for other countries with undeclared nuclear programs are complicated due to a lack of transparency.
Impact of Spending on Nuclear Weapons
Susy Snyder, one of the authors of the research, has highlighted that nuclear states are on track to spend one hundred billion dollars a year on nuclear weapons, which raises questions about the allocation of these resources. It has been noted that this spending could have been used to combat climate change, preserve biodiversity and improve health and education services globally.
Trends and Future Prospects
Over the past five years, spending on nuclear weapons has seen a 34% increase, with a significant increase in the defense budgets of the United States and the United Kingdom. Based on current trends, spending on nuclear weapons is projected to exceed $100 billion by 2024. Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin has referred to his country’s nuclear arsenal in the context of the current geopolitical situation.
