UN Funding by Country 2025

The United Nations (UN) was established in 1945, largely through the efforts of the United States, along with the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and China. While the U.S. played a key role in shaping the organization, it was a collaborative effort among multiple Allied nations. Since its founding, the UN has relied on financial contributions from its 193 member states, with each country assessed based on its economic capacity and national income.

Historically, the United States has been the largest financial contributor, typically covering around 22% of the UN’s regular budget and up to 28% of the peacekeeping budget. However, in 2024, the U.S. did not appear on the UN’s Honour Roll of fully paid members, reflecting delays or withholding of contributions. Despite this, the U.S. remains a significant financial force within the UN, and its funding decisions impact the organization’s global operations.

While China’s exact 2024 contribution is not listed, it contributed $446.2 million in 2023 and was expected to contribute a similar amount in 2024, accounting for approximately 12.4% of the total UN budget. Japan followed as the second-largest contributor, allocating $253.1 million (7.1%). Germany contributed $192.6 million (5.4%), while the United Kingdom and France provided $137.9 million (3.8%) and $136.1 million (3.8%), respectively.

Which Countries Currently Owe the United Nations Money?

As of 2024, several UN member states were behind on their financial contributions, with ten countries—including Afghanistan, Bolivia, Cabo Verde, Congo, Ecuador, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Venezuela—falling under Article 19 of the UN Charter, meaning their overdue payments could cost them voting rights. Some nations, like Comoros, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Somalia, were granted waivers to retain their votes despite their debts.

Has Any Country Ever Been Kicked Out of the United Nations?

No, no country has ever been kicked out of the United Nations. It is unlikely that any country will be kicked out of the United Nations purely because it has fallen behind on its dues. At the same time, some countries have voluntarily decided to withdraw from the United Nations. For example, in 1965, Indonesia decided to withdraw from the United Nations. It withdrew from the United Nations because Malaysia was elected as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. Indonesia was very frustrated by this, lost faith in the United Nations, and decided to withdraw. However, Indonesia never completed the formal withdrawal process and resumed participation in 1966 without needing to reapply for membership.

What Does the United Nations Do With the Money it Gets?

The United Nations is responsible for orchestrating a wide variety of operations around the world. It cannot do so without funding from the individual member states. For example, the United Nations is responsible for numerous peacekeeping operations. The UN plays a diplomatic role in conflict resolution through special envoys, mediators, and peace missions, often under the UN Secretary-General’s office or through agencies like the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA). The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations which operates independently with its own funding structure, primarily relying on voluntary contributions from governments, foundations, and private entities, rather than direct UN-assessed funds. In some situations, the World Health Organization is responsible for orchestrating operations in developed countries, particularly during times of crisis. That is why funding is so critical.