Setting the Record Straight
Facts about the United Nations

Æ 61,000 people work for the UN and its 29 agencies, funds and programmes.

Æ Disneyland, Disney World and Euro Disney employ more people than the entire UN system.

Æ The UN regular budget for 2002 is $1.3 billion.

Æ The Tokyo fire department has a budget of $1.8 billion.

Æ The US contribution to the UN’s regular budget for 2002 is $283 million (22% of the budget) - or the equivalent of 99 cents per American.

Æ Liechtenstein contributes $2.47 per citizen.

Æ The other top contributors to the UN regular budget are Japan (19.67%); Germany (9.84%); France (6.51%); the UK (5.58%); Italy (5.10%); Canada (2.58%); and Spain (2.54). The 15-country EU pays over 37% of the budget.

Æ At the end of 2001 Member States owed US$2.2 billion.

Æ The US owed the most, with arrears of $871 million.