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Government and Politics

United Nations

How many nations are members of the UN today?

In 2005 the United Nations (UN) membership stood at 191 nations, with the most recent additions having been Switzerland and Timor-Leste (East Timor) in 2002. The membership of the UN grew steadily after it was founded in 1945. Originally there were 51 member states, including Canada, France, the United Kingdom, the USSR (today the Russian Federation), and the United States. Within a decade, 25 more countries had been added to the UN’s membership roster. By 1965 there were 117 members; by 1975, 144 members; by 1985, 159 members; and by 1995, 185 members.



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