The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) applied nuclear safeguards in 190 States last year, the agency confirmed in its latest Safeguards Statement. In total, the IAEA carried out more than 3,000 inspections at over 1,300 facilities in 2024, tracking how nuclear material is used around the world.
These safeguards help ensure that nuclear material and technology are used only for peaceful purposes. As more countries explore nuclear power, the number of materials and facilities under IAEA review continues to grow. Deputy Director General Massimo Aparo said demand on the agency is rising, but the system continues to hold.
Out of the 190 States, the IAEA was able to draw full safeguards conclusions for 175. Fifteen States still follow older rules under the Small Quantities Protocol (SQP), which limits what the agency can verify. Last year, six countries updated or ended SQPs to meet the IAEA’s revised standard.
The IAEA confirmed that all nuclear material remained in peaceful use in 75 States. Several others had results still under review, or were found to have no issues with declared material. Three signatories to the Non-Proliferation Treaty still have not put safeguards agreements in place.
The report also includes findings from India, Israel, and Pakistan, where the agency applies item-specific safeguards, and from the five nuclear-weapon States under voluntary inspections.
