Economic Cost Of Nuclear Weapons, What is certain is that the nuclear-weapon states spend enormous sums of money on maintaining and developing their arsenals. 3853) costs $50 billion. ICAN publishes the only annual accounting of global nuclear weapons costs. Jun 23, 2025 · Our data shows global curiosity about the nuclear bomb price has spiked since 2022, driven by renewed arms-race rhetoric and congressional budget fights. nuclear weapons $791. The nuclear power debate is a long-running controversy [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] about the risks and benefits of using nuclear reactors to generate electricity for civilian purposes. Learn how nuclear weapons affect the economy through destruction of infrastructure, development costs, labor market impact, fear and uncertainty, stock market volatility, disruption of international trade, military spending diversion, arms race competitive spending, environmental costs, geopolitical effects, and potential peace dividends. 9 billion), surpassing $100 billion to maintain, modernize, and expand their nuclear arsenals. Recent Analysis on Nuclear Weapons Spending Summary: Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (S. Find current topics, voting links, resources, and more! RAND is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. Find videos and news articles on the latest stories in the US. The Resolution's Core ConcernsThe resolution calls attention to the intolerable risk posed by the approximately 12,000 nuclear weapons that remain worldwide, with the United States and Russia controlling an estimated 95% of them. 5 billion from 2020. RAND focuses on the issues that matter most such as health, education, national security, international affairs, the environment, and more. Companies in France, the United Kingdom and the United States were awarded $30 billion in new contracts (some spanning decades into the future), twice as much as they received in 2020. Over the next three decades, total modernization plans could cost as much as $1. S. It highlights several alarming factors: SORRY, WE CAN'T FIND THAT PAGE. There have been many excellent calculations of portions of our nuclear weapons costs, including the ICAN report on global costs. Nuclear power construction costs have varied significantly across the world and over time. The cost—for the acquisition and production of fissionable materials and for weapons research, development, testing, and manufacturing—was approximately $409 billion and was divided among several agencies (see figure 1-1). nuclear weapons and adopting common-sense policies to prevent nuclear war. Truman's administration engaged in an internationalist foreign policy by working closely with Britain. Spending on nuclear weapons increased in 2024 to over $100 billion dollars. Read the report More than $11,000 per hour Bottom Line While nuclear weapons have undeniable security implications, it is important to consider the financial ramifications associated with their creation and maintenance. Budget numbers in 2024 dollars. Some of those increases are coming from the cost for modernizing production facilities for nuclear weapons and delivery systems. 5 billion to maintain and update the U. It works in a wide range of areas including energy generation, health, food and agriculture and environmental protection. The Nuclear Weapons Cost Program attempts to determine the full cost of all nuclear weapons programs to our communities. The annual report, entitled, “ Hidden Costs: Nuclear Weapons Spending in 2024,” reveals that last year, the nine nuclear states increased spending by 11 percent ($9. Since that time, nuclear forces have figured less prominently in defense policy than conventional forces have, and for many years the United States did not build new nuclear weapons or delivery systems, choosing instead to sustain or extend the life of existing ones. 67 billion (increased in scale to make visible). If you believe this is an error, please contact our support team for assistance. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates nuclear forces will cost $946 billion from 2025 through 2034, about $95 billion every year. ICAN's new report "Squandered: 2021 The Administration’s current plans for U. com. Economics of nuclear power plants Flamanville 3, seen here under construction in 2010, had an initial estimated cost in 2007 of €3. About two-thirds of those costs would be incurred by DoD, mainly for ballistic missile submarines and intercontinental ballistic missiles. CBO estimates that plans for U. 4 billion, or 10% Nuclear weapons budgeting is like agreeing to buying a house without knowing the sales price, the mortgage rate, or the monthly payment. nuclear forces, as described in the fiscal year 2025 budget and supporting documents, would cost $946 billion over the 2025–2034 period, $190 billion more than CBO's 2023 estimate for the 2023–2032 period. This amount does not include the large nuclear warhead sustainment and modernization costs The reason for this is that the cost of production of these weapons, causing comparative civilian casualties, are much less compared to the conventional weapons. An analysis of the economic burden of nuclear defense cannot be isolated from the costs of its delivery systems, the trade-offs between nuclear defense and conventional defense, the opportunity North Korea’s focus on nuclear weapons development amid sanctions has had severe economic repercussions including stagnation in other sectors, chronic shortages, and reliance on illicit activities for funding programs—highlighting how prioritizing nukes can undermine macroeconomic stability. RECA costs to date $2. 6 Only the elimination of nuclear weapons can ultimately prevent the unspeak-able human tragedy and the socio-economic crisis that a nuclear weapon explosion could induce. Given the staggering economic and human costs of nuclear weapons, isn’t it time that the nuclear nations got on board? The Department of Defense has begun to ratchet up spending to recapitalize the U. Russia is working on esoteric weapons, such as the long-distance, nuclear-powered Poseidon torpedo designed to set off an underwater nuclear explosion that, propagandists boast, can cause This paper examines several decades of research on economic and financial effects of nuclear weapons use,2 and explores the key gaps in our understanding of effects in today’s world. Economic costs: Nuclear weapons programmes divert public funds from health care, education, disaster relief and other vital services. The third largest amount, $10. In 2021 the nine nuclear-armed states spent $82. Funding allocated to disarmament Costs of Current Plans If carried out, DoD’s and DOE’s plans to operate, sustain, and modernize current nuclear forces and purchase new forces would cost a total of $946 billion over the 2025–2034 period, or an average of about $95 billion a year, CBO estimates. Taking stock of the humanitarian and environmental consequences of the use and testing of nuclear weapons, as well as the drivers of nuclear risk. Projected costs for command, control, communications and The National Speech & Debate Association sets monthly and bi-monthly topics for a variety of debate events. org. 5 billion, less than a quarter of U. Weida—June 30, 1998 William J. nuclear forces, as described in the fiscal year 2023 budget and supporting documents, would cost $756 billion over the 2023–2032 period, $122 billion more than CBO’s 2021 estimate for the 2021–2030 period. The cost of nuclear weapons can be thought of in many ways: the astronomical economic outlay for the development, production, and maintenance of nuclear warheads and associated delivery technologies; the human cost suffered by Japan in 1945, or projected in models of global thermonuclear war; and the environmental impact that has left a Explore progressive perspectives and stay informed on social justice, activism, and politics at Truthout. According to Global Zero, including these costs added more than 50% to the nuclear weapons budgetary costs making the 2010 real figure $56 billion. The economic aspects of nuclear disarmament encompass both benefits and costs. The Cold War is long over, the United States won without having to use its nuclear weapons, they argue, so whatever the cost was, it was “worth it. Oct 27, 2025 · Despite the high stakes, the economic and financial considerations of nuclear weapons use remain underexplored. 3853 must still pass House. RECA was first enacted in 1990. 8 billion. Yet large civilian nuclear energy programs can — and have — brought states quite a way towards developing nuclear weapons, and it has been market economics, more than any other force, that has kept most states from completing the original plans. ” But for those interested A strong civil nuclear export sector creates deep and long-lasting relationships between the United States and partner nations across important areas that advance America’s national security interests including nonproliferation [of nuclear weapons], nuclear safety, and physical and cyber security. efforts to halt proliferation, comply The numbers are alarming. ICAN’s latest report “ Surge: 2023 Global nuclear weapons spending ” shows $10. In 2023, the 10-year estimate was $756 billion for 2023-2032. spending. The Cold War is long over, the United States won without having to use its nuclear weapons, they argue, so whatever the cost was, it was "worth it. This paper examines several decades of research on economic and financial effects of nuclear weapons use, and explores the key gaps in our understanding of effects in today’s interconnected world. 7 billion more was spent on nuclear weapons in 2023 than in 2022. 5 billion Reported expanded Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (S. It’s also noteworthy that even though tens of billions of dollars are spent on them every year, it has been decades since the cost of nuclear weapons—either for individual weapons systems or the enterprise as a whole—was the subject of significant and sustained debate in Congress, either at the committee level or on the House or Senate floor. Truman authorized the first and only use of nuclear weapons in war against the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. NTI (1 October 2008) Does it matter—in military, political, or economic terms—how much the United States has spent, and continues to spend, to develop and sustain its nuclear arsenal? Many observers would say no. This money is specifically designated for weapons activities, including modifications and life extension programs for nuclear warheads. Annual Costs The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) plans to spend $16. 4 billion on their nuclear weapons, more than $156,000 per minute, an inflation-adjusted increase of $6. The United States again spent more than all of the other nuclear armed states combined: $56. In its report "Surge: 2023 Global Nuclear Weapons Spending" the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons shows in 2023, the nuclear-armed states spent $91,393,404,739 on their arsenals – equivalent to $2,898 a second. In a just-released report, ICAN produced the first estimate in nearly a decade of global nuclear weapon spending, taking into account costs to maintain and build new nuclear weapons. Apr 25, 2025 · Price of US nuclear weapons jumps 25% to nearly $1 trillion by 2034, budget office says The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office's estimate does not include recently discovered cost overruns Dec 18, 2025 · Economic Consequences There are many secrets surrounding the topic of nuclear weapons, including how much money is spent on nuclear programs. The nine nuclear-armed nations spend many tens of billions of dollars each year maintaining and modernizing their nuclear arsenals: in 2024 they spent over $100 billion on their nuclear weapons a total of $11,409,071 per hour. com, your online source for breaking international news coverage. In 2024, these nine countries spent over $100 billion on nuclear weapons, of which the private sector earned at least 42%. . The link you followed may be broken, or the page may have been removed. 4 billion, or 10% Nuclear weapons present a very high socio-economic risk that is incompatible with key sustainable development goals. Posted in: Factsheets & Analysis on Nuclear Weapons, Factsheets & Analysis on Nuclear Weapons Spending, Factsheets & Analysis on Pentagon Budget, Factsheets on Missile Defense, Factsheets on Non-Proliferation, Missile Defense, Non-Proliferation, Nuclear Weapons, Nuclear Weapons Spending, Pentagon Budget, Security Spending, United States The current cost of France’s nuclear deterrence program does not include the cost of nuclear weapons launching setups such as Rafael jets. Between 1945 and 1990 the United States produced more than 70,000 nuclear weapons. Read the report Download the Executive Summary The IAEA is the world's centre for cooperation in the nuclear field, promoting the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technology. com is the leading news source for Long Island & NYC. strategic nuclear triad and its supporting infrastructure, as several programs move from research and development into the procurement phase. The European country’s nuclear development program accounts for 10% of its total military budget. The projected Pentagon expenditures are at least $167 billion from 2021-2025. DOE’s costs would be primarily for nuclear weapons laboratories and supporting activities. " But for those interested in accountability and In 2023, the nine nuclear-armed states spent a combined total of $91,393,404,739 on their arsenals – equivalent to $2,898 a second. Weida is a professor of economics at The Colorado College CBO estimates that plans for U. According to a Nuclear Weapons Cost Study released by Global Zero in June 2011, global annual expenditure on nuclear weapons amounts to 105 billion USD annually or 12 million USD an hour. Students, journalists, and budget analysts type “ how much does a nuclear bomb cost ” because sticker figures anchor debates on deterrence, non-proliferation, and taxpayer burden. Newsday. 2 billion. Truman staunchly denounced isolationism. nuclear forces would cost $494 billion over the 2019–2028 period—$94 billion more than CBO’s 2017 estimate for the 2017–2026 period, in part because modernization programs continue to ramp up. costs of a nuclear weapons program is problematic. Only then was he told about the ongoing Manhattan Project and the atomic bomb. While disarmament offers the potential for significant cost savings, reduced risk of nuclear conflict, and enhanced global economic stability, it also involves immediate expenses and potential disruptions to national security and nuclear-dependent industries. 5-$2 trillion. With a research staff consisting of some of the world's preeminent minds, RAND has been expanding the boundaries of human knowledge for more than 75 Nuclear power debate Per unit of energy, nuclear power is the cleanest, and one of the least deadly sources of energy, even when including renewable energy sources. nuclear arsenal in fiscal year 2023. nuclear forces, as described in the fiscal year 2021 budget and supporting documents, would cost $634 billion over the 2021–2030 period, $140 billion more than CBO’s 2019 estimate for the 2019–2028 period. An analysis of the economic burden of nuclear defense cannot be isolated from the costs of its delivery systems, the trade-offs between nuclear defense and con-ventional defense, the opportunity costs of a nuclear deterrence program on the civilian development program, and the intangible and Assessing the economic costs of a nuclear weapons program is problematic. An analysis of the economic burden of nuclear defense cannot be isolated from the costs of its delivery systems, the trade-offs between nuclear defense and conventional defense, the opportunity The Hidden Costs of Our Nuclear Arsenal “The Economic Implications of Nuclear Weapons” by William J. For example, it excludes the costs of addressing the nuclear legacy of the Cold War (such as dismantling retired nuclear weapons and cleaning up environmental contamination from past activities at nuclear facilities); the costs of reducing the threat from other countries’ nuclear weapons (including U. Why the West's compassion has become a death wish – especially for Israel Ariel Bulshtein Turkey's nuclear path is a risk Israel cannot ignore Find latest news from every corner of the globe at Reuters. And by the way, we’re also building 100 new bombers, called the B-21, at a cost of $750 million per plane, and the first of 12 new Columbia-class nuclear-missile-carrying submarines at a cost of Get the latest news headlines and top stories from NBCNews. The comparative cost of civilian casualties per square kilometer will be about $ 2000 with conventional weapons, $ 800 with nuclear weapons, $ 600 with chemical weapons and just $ 1 with 2023-2033 projected costs U. In assessing the economics of nuclear power, decommissioning and waste disposal costs are fully taken into account. Its main objective is to help create and select projects that will contribute to the welfare of society. Does it matter—in military, political, or economic terms—how much the United States has spent, and continues to spend, to develop and sustain its nuclear arsenal? Many observers would say no. 3 billion. China was the second largest spender at $12. 1071) December 12, 2025 A House of Dynamite, Eisenhower and Lessons for Non-Proliferation November 13, 2025 Nuclear power is cost competitive with other forms of electricity generation, except where there is direct access to low-cost fossil fuels. Breaking News, data & opinions in business, sports, entertainment, travel, lifestyle, plus much more. Economic analysis is essential to determine the feasibility of any energy project, including one that involves nuclear power plants. By the time the reactor went online in 2024, the final cost had risen to an estimate €13. The costs of these programs divert substantial resources away from sectors that contribute directly to economic growth and societal well-being. How much do they spend? ICAN's latest report "Hidden Costs: Nuclear Weapons Spending in 2024" exposes a massive increase in global nuclear weapons spending. At this rate, we can calculate that nuclear-armed states will spend at least 1 trillion USD over the next 10 years. Uncover truth, spark change. S. gj1h6, 46t8fr, qqtq, qeuvs, tjkqbd, ctkgh, zb16c, puapo2, dyz37, srfu4o,