Number of countries that possess, pursue or consider nuclear weapons, 1938-2022
Nuclear Threat Initiative (2022)
14 Nov 2023
In the realm of nuclear weapons, global pursuits of nuclear weapons are on the decline; however, existing stockpiles persist in some countries. In the era of World Wars and Cold Wars, active considerations for nuclear weapons, pursuits and stockpiles of nuclear weapons peaked, with more than 18 nations expressing interest. Fast forward in time, and this number can be seen to have cut down significantly. However, as of 2022, nine countries are still known to possess nuclear weapons, which reflects a complex geopolitical landscape. Notably, one country is actively considering and pursuing nuclear capabilities, adding an element of concern.
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