The CIA announced it will discontinue the World Factbook after more than 60 years, issuing a brief notice that offered no reason. First produced in 1962 as a classified manual and released publicly in an unclassified edition about a decade later, the Factbook went online in 1997 and became a widely used reference. The decision comes amid broader staffing and budget shifts affecting U.S. intelligence agencies.
CIA Discontinues World Factbook After More Than 60 Years
CIA Director John Ratcliffe, seated at center, and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, standing in back, listen during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Central Intelligence Agency announced Wednesday that it will discontinue the World Factbook, the long-running reference that provided concise, country-by-country data on economies, militaries, resources and societies for more than six decades.
Brief Notice, No Explanation
The agency posted a short notice on its website announcing the decision but did not provide a reason. The move follows Director John Ratcliffe's stated intent to eliminate programs that do not directly support the CIA's core missions.
Origins and Public Release
First published in 1962 as a printed, classified manual for intelligence officers, the World Factbook compiled factual profiles of foreign nations. Within about a decade an unclassified edition was released for broader government and public use, and in 1997 the Factbook was made available online.
Wide Use and Legacy
Over the years the Factbook became a trusted quick-reference for journalists, students, educators, trivia enthusiasts and other federal agencies, drawing millions of visits annually. Its concise, data-driven entries were widely cited for basic country facts and statistics.
Context
The announcement arrives amid an environment of budget and staffing adjustments affecting U.S. intelligence agencies in recent years. The CIA did not respond to requests for additional comment about the decision to end publication of the Factbook.
Why it matters: The discontinuation removes a long-standing, freely accessible source of standardized country data that many relied on for quick facts and introductory research.
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