The Finances of the United Nations

Miguel Haro Ruiz | March 4, 2024

The United Nations (UN) was established in 1945 to promote international cooperation and peace in the post-WWII world. Almost 80 years later, the UN continues to be the largest international organization in terms of participating countries, as well as total revenue. Its more than 40 agencies focus on bringing governemnts together on pressing global issues such as desertification (UNCCD) chemical weapons (OPCW) or intellectual property (WIPO).

The UN's overall funding has been on a steady rise over the last decade, with the World Food Program (WFP), the International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the Department for Peace Operations (UN-DPO) being the largest agencies in terms of operational funds.

UN funding has steadily increased over the last decade

While most agencies have contributed to the overall growth of the UN over the last ten years, some agencies have grown at a faster pace than others. The Organization for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UNWOMEN) has experienced the largest growth in revenue since 2012, followed by the WFP and the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

How has funding for each agency changed?

with respect to 2012

Some agencies whose funding has declined with respect to 2012 include the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

The UN and its different agencies remain operative thanks to donations from mostly governments, but also international organisations and private donors. For the United States, the UN served a crucial role in the establishment of the post-WWII international order. Even today, the US continues to be the largest contributor, followed by Germany and The European Union.

Main Government Non-government Donors to UN Agencies

2012-2022 total contributions; All figures in Billion USD