The CIA has said it is ending publication of its World Factbook after more than 60 years, bringing to a close a reference guide that became widely used beyond the intelligence community. The announcement, posted Wednesday on the CIA’s website, marked the end of a resource that has long provided a “by-the-numbers” picture of countries, including their economies, militaries, resources and societies.
The agency did not provide a specific reason for the decision to stop publishing the Factbook. The move follows a vow from CIA Director John Ratcliffe to end programs that, in his view, do not advance the agency’s core missions.
The Factbook was first launched in 1962 as a printed, classified reference manual for intelligence officers. Over time, the tool became influential enough that other federal agencies began using it, and within a decade the CIA released an unclassified version for public use.
The Factbook later expanded its reach again when it went online in 1997. According to the CIA’s own description of the tool’s growth, it quickly became a popular reference site for journalists, trivia enthusiasts and students, accumulating millions of visits per year.
The timing of the shutdown aligns with broader personnel cuts in Washington as President Donald Trump begins a second term. The White House has moved to cut staffing at the CIA and the National Security Agency early in the term, a change that the report said has pressured agencies to do more with less.
The CIA did not respond to a message seeking comment about the decision on Wednesday, the Associated Press reported.