Founding of the UN in 1945

United Nations was founded by 51 states in 1945.

UN Member States by 1949

By the end of the 1940s the UN had grown to 59 members.

UN Member States by 1959

During the 1950s another 23 states joined the UN, increasing the

number of members to 82.

UN Member States by 1969

In the course of decolonization the UN grew from 82 to 126

member states within one decade.

UN Member States by 1979

The UN grew to 152 member states during the 1970s.

UN Member States by 1989

By the end of the 1980s the UN counted 159 members.

UN Member States by 1999

After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the split up of

Yugoslavia the number of UN members increased by 29 to 188.

The Beginning of the 21st Century

In the first decade of the 21st century the UN grew to 193

members including Switzerland in 2002 and most recently South

Sudan in 2011.