The United States remains the largest financial contributor to the United Nations (UN), accounting for 22 percent of the organisation’s regular budget, according to the latest UN assessments of member state contributions.
China follows as the second-largest funder with 12 percent, reflecting its growing economic influence, while Japan ranks third at 8.5 percent. Germany, the United Kingdom, and France complete the top six contributors, providing 6.1, 4.5, and 4.4 percent respectively.
Other major donors include Italy (3.3 percent), Brazil (2.9 percent), Canada (2.7 percent), and Russia (2.4 percent). Emerging economies such as South Korea and Australia each contribute 2.2 percent, with Spain, Turkey, the Netherlands, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia also among the top tier of payers.
Collectively, the top ten contributors fund nearly 70 percent of the UN’s regular budget, underscoring ongoing disparities in global financial responsibility within the organisation.
African representation in the top 25 is limited to Algeria, which contributes 0.8 percent. India, Sweden, and Norway make similar contributions, while all other member states collectively account for about 12.1 percent of the UN’s total budget.
The UN’s funding formula—based on countries’ gross national income and capacity to pay—has stirred debates over equity and representation, especially as developing nations push for a stronger voice in global governance.
