CIA Ends Publication of Popular World Factbook

The spy agency is shuttering the reference manual after more than 60 years.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The CIA announced on Wednesday that it is ending publication of the World Factbook, a popular reference manual that has provided detailed information on foreign nations for over 60 years. The agency offered no specific reason for the decision, but it follows a vow from the CIA director to end programs that don't advance the agency's core missions.

Why it matters

The World Factbook has been an invaluable resource for journalists, researchers, and the general public, offering comprehensive data on the economies, militaries, resources, and societies of countries around the world. Its discontinuation represents the loss of a longstanding and widely used reference tool.

The details

The World Factbook was first launched in 1962 as a classified reference manual for intelligence officers, but an unclassified public version was released within a decade. After going online in 1997, the Factbook became a popular destination, receiving millions of visits per year. The decision to end the Factbook comes as the White House has moved to cut staffing at the CIA and other agencies, forcing them to prioritize their core functions.

  • The World Factbook was first launched in 1962.
  • An unclassified public version was released within a decade of the initial launch.
  • The Factbook went online in 1997.

The players

John Ratcliffe

The Director of the CIA who vowed to end programs that don't advance the agency's core missions.

CIA

The U.S. spy agency that is shuttering the World Factbook reference manual.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The CIA did not provide any details on the future of the World Factbook or whether a similar reference tool may be developed in the future.

The takeaway

The discontinuation of the World Factbook represents the loss of a longstanding and widely used reference tool that has provided valuable information to journalists, researchers, and the general public for over 60 years. It remains to be seen if the CIA will develop a replacement for the Factbook or if this marks the end of the agency's role in publishing such a comprehensive reference on foreign nations.