Cookies on oxfam

We use cookies to ensure that you have the best experience on our website. If you continue browsing, we’ll assume that you are happy to receive all our cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Find out more

A graphic guide to the deadly arms trade

Intro copy goes here

The arms trade: in graphics

Photo 1/10 photo by: Oxfam

Chew over this: it's easier to trade in guns than bananas

  • Chew over this: it's easier to trade in guns than bananas
  • Bombshell: Every year, small arms alone kill more people then the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki put together.
  • Elephant in the room: Cost of global military spending: $1,600 billion. Cost of annual UN peacekeeping work: $6 billion.
  • Paying the price: In conflicts, 90% of civilian casualties are caused by small arms. Compared to 15% at the beginning of the century.
  • Sobering thought: In Burundi, Africa, a grenade costs the same price as a pint of beer.
  • Bite-size fact: More than 36 million people face hunger due to present or recent conflicts globally.
  • A new milestone: The Arms Trade Treaty 2012 will be a big step towards controlling the global arms trade. Take the first step, speak out and help save millions of lives.
  • Time to act: 1 person dies every minute from armed violence. In the same minute, 15 new arms are manufactured.
  • No kidding: There are over 300,000 child soldiers around the world.
  • Think twice: Each year, over 12 billion bullets are produced. That's nearly two bullets for every person in the world.