According to the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC), there have been over 2,000 UFO sightings reported in the first half of 2025.
This nonprofit organization gathers and investigates reports of unidentified flying objects. The total stands at 2,174 sightings, an increase that’s been noted over recent years. For context, in 2024, there were 1,492 sightings from January to June, and 2,077 during the same period in 2023.
UFO sightings in 2025
NUFORC collected more than 3,000 reports in the initial half of 2025. The group notes, however, that many reports stem from years past due to the stigma surrounding UFOs.
Christian Stepien, the chief technology officer at NUFORC, expressed his belief that these numbers likely only represent a fraction of actual sightings, estimating that perhaps only about 5% get reported.
Types of reports come from various individuals, including everyday citizens, air traffic controllers, police officers, and military personnel.
Interest in UFOs after recent testimonies
The conversation around UFOs, or UAP as referred to by the U.S. government, has gained traction recently as lawmakers demand greater transparency on the subject.
Whistleblower David Grush made headlines in early 2023 with his testimony, which led to Congressional hearings focused on sightings of unexplained phenomena.
Following this, other government affiliates have begun to discuss supporting Grush’s claims, alleging that the Department of Defense has not been straightforward with the public and Congress about the issue.
On the flip side, the Pentagon maintains that there is no evidence suggesting these unidentified sightings are extraterrestrial in nature, flatly denying the existence of a UFO retrieval program.
Recent reports indicate that there may have been efforts by the agency itself to perpetuate rumors around alien technology as a cover for various terrestrial projects. Some sources suggest that new hires in specific offices may have unintentionally contributed to the propagation of UFO-related myths.
Many remain skeptical of government denials, including lawmakers who continue to advocate for more transparency regarding sightings, whether they are caused by non-human entities or are just advanced human technology.
“There’s so much happening out there that’s visible to many people. And if it were a classified project, why would it be flying over heavily populated areas where anyone could see it? Yet we still get these recent photos,” Stepien remarked.
NUFORC’s broad array of sightings
NUFORC is currently investigating a variety of cases, from known objects like balloons and drones to more elusive sightings.
Stepien pointed out that many reports do identify things like balloons, airplanes, or drones easily. However, he mentioned that roughly 3% of entries pique the group’s significant interest.
“The more dramatic cases involve reports of large triangular objects that are said to hover over homes, sometimes as large as a tennis court or soccer field,” he explained. “We receive those kinds of reports frequently, and they are often not easily mistaken for something else.”
NUFORC’s records feature varied shapes, such as triangles, discs, and orbs, with some disclosures indicating unusual maneuvering capabilities that don’t align with known human technology.
Looking ahead, Stepien expressed hopes that the organization will continue to collect sightings and seek more transparency from government data, particularly regarding advanced technology.
“There’s definitely valuable information out there,” he said. “With advancements in mobile technology, we’ve started to receive some excellent video footage, but we’re still lacking high-resolution imaging or infrared capabilities.”
