Despite significant reductions since the Cold War, nine countries collectively maintain over 12,000 nuclear warheads.
This graphic illustrates the global nuclear arsenal, using estimated inventories from the Federation of American Scientists as of August 2024.
Russia and the United States account for approximately 90% of all nuclear warheads worldwide. While Russia has a larger total inventory, the U.S. deploys more warheads on intercontinental missiles and heavy bomber bases.
| Country | Retired | Reserve | Deployed Nonstrategic | Deployed Strategic | Total Inventory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Russia |
1,200 | 2,670 | 0 | 1,710 | 5,580 |
 U.S. |
1,336 | 1,938 | 100 | 1,670 | 5,044 |
 China |
0 | 476 | 0 | 24 | 500 |
 France |
0 | 10 | 0 | 280 | 290 |
 UK |
0 | 105 | 0 | 120 | 225 |
 India |
0 | 172 | 0 | 0 | 172 |
 Pakistan |
0 | 170 | 0 | 0 | 170 |
 Israel |
0 | 90 | 0 | 0 | 90 |
 North Korea |
0 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 50 |
Of the 12,121 nuclear warheads globally, about 9,585 remain in active military stockpiles, with the rest retired but largely intact.
Types of Warheads
- Deployed Warheads: Installed on intercontinental missiles, heavy bomber bases, or operational short-range delivery systems.
- Reserve Warheads: Stored and not mounted on launchers.
- Retired Warheads: Intact but awaiting dismantlement.
The Impact of a Nuclear Detonation
In the long term, nuclear weapons emit ionizing radiation, which can harm or kill those exposed, pollute the environment, and lead to lasting health issues, including cancer and genetic damage.
Experts estimate that around 2.4 million people globally will ultimately die from cancers linked to atmospheric nuclear tests conducted between 1945 and 1980.
Credit: Visual Capitalist
