New data analyzing global nuclear arsenals has identified five countries that have significantly increased their number of nuclear weapons over the past 40 years.
The figures, compiled by the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), come at a tense geopolitical moment, with U.S. President Donald Trump recently accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of “gambling with World War III.” Trump has urged both Russia and Ukraine to negotiate a peace deal “before it is too late,” as both nations signal potential interest in diplomatic progress.
As hopes for an end to the conflict remain uncertain, the FAS data offers insight into how nuclear arsenals have evolved worldwide. The organization emphasizes that most nuclear-armed nations maintain only a few hundred warheads for national security—yet some have been expanding their stockpiles at a concerning rate.
Global Nuclear Trends
According to the latest 2024 data, Russia and the United States still hold approximately 88% of the world’s nuclear weapons. However, their arsenals have declined significantly since the Cold War:
- Russia: 40,159 warheads (1986) → 4,380 warheads (2024)
- United States: 23,317 warheads (1986) → 3,700 warheads (2024)
While these reductions suggest some de-escalation, five nations have quietly expanded their nuclear stockpiles, in some cases going from zero to nearly 200 warheads.
The Five Countries Increasing Their Nuclear Arsenal
- China – 224 warheads (1986) → 500 warheads (2024)
- Pakistan – 0 warheads (1986) → 170 warheads (2024)
- India – 0 warheads (1986) → 172 warheads (2024)
- Israel – 44 warheads (1986) → 90 warheads (2024)
- North Korea – 0 warheads (1986) → 50 warheads (2024)
These nations join the United States, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom in possessing nuclear weapons.
The Future of Global Nuclear Arsenals
The Federation of American Scientists warns that the exact number of nuclear weapons each country possesses is a tightly guarded secret. The figures are estimates based on publicly available data, historical analysis, and occasional intelligence leaks.
Of the world’s estimated 12,121 nuclear warheads, approximately 9,585 are believed to be actively stored for military use, deployed across missiles, aircraft, ships, and submarines. While the total number of nuclear weapons continues to decline, the rate of reduction has slowed significantly compared to the past three decades.
With geopolitical tensions on the rise, experts fear that these trends could signal a shift away from disarmament—and toward a more volatile nuclear future.
