WASHINGTON — The United States remains the largest contributor to the United Nations, providing roughly 22 percent of the organization’s regular budget for the 2025‑26 fiscal year, according to a 2026 report by the Council on Foreign Relations. The contribution amounts to about $9.8 billion, a figure that underscores the U.S. role in sustaining global peace, security, and development initiatives.
US Shares the Largest Slice of the UN Budget
The United Nations’ regular budget is financed through assessed contributions from member states, calculated on each country’s gross national income. The U.S. assessment rate is 23.2 percent of the total assessed pool, which translates into the largest share of the budget. In the 2025‑26 fiscal year, the U.S. paid $9.8 billion, the highest contribution of any member state. The next largest contributors are Japan, China, and Germany, each providing between $1.5 billion and $2.0 billion.
Budget Allocation and Impact
The U.S. contribution funds a broad range of UN activities. The largest portion goes to the Department of Peace Operations, which supports peacekeeping missions worldwide. Other significant allocations include the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the Department of Global Affairs, and the Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide. The U.S. also funds the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) through separate budget lines.
Specialized Agencies and Program Funding
Beyond the regular budget, the United States also contributes to specialized agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). In 2025‑26, U.S. contributions to these agencies totaled approximately $1.2 billion. These funds support global health initiatives, labor standards, and food security programs.
Challenges and Future Outlook
The U.S. contribution is subject to congressional approval each fiscal year. In 2025, the U.S. Congress approved the $9.8 billion payment, citing the UN’s role in addressing climate change, pandemic preparedness, and humanitarian crises. However, debates continue over the allocation of funds, with some lawmakers calling for increased transparency and accountability in UN spending.
Looking ahead, the United Nations has projected a 3.5 percent increase in its regular budget for the 2026‑27 fiscal year, driven by rising costs of peacekeeping operations and expanding development programs. The U.S. is expected to maintain its share of the budget, although the exact amount will depend on future congressional appropriations.
