The end of an era, but ultimately it's not that surprising.

In its own FAQs[0], the CIA previously noted that many third-party companies that once provided free data now require expensive subscriptions or restrict use via licensing. These likely made it increasingly difficult to maintain the Factbook’s rigorous standards for comprehensive global data.

Ensuring the accuracy of thousands of data points for 258 international entities required a "monstrous workload" of vetting and reviewing by highly trained officers. Given the "do more with less" mandate, this is the result.

[0]https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/faqs/

This ending seems fitting for the world where artificially manufacturing consent is rampant.

As Nietzsche once said: "There are no facts, only interpretations"