Introduction
The size of armies around the world varies greatly, with the People’s Republic of China having the largest army, with over 2 million military personnel. India and the United States follow closely behind with 1.46 million and 1.39 million military personnel respectively. North Korea and Russia also have significant military forces, with 1.28 million and 900,000 military personnel respectively.
The armies of many countries are relatively small in comparison, with some countries having less than 100,000 military personnel. For example, South Africa and Argentina have armies of just 74,000 and 72,100 military personnel respectively. Even smaller armies can be found in countries such as Slovakia, which has an army of just 17,950 military personnel.
It’s worth noting that the size of a country’s army is not the only factor that determines its military capability. Factors such as training, technology, and tactics also play a significant role. Additionally, some countries may rely on other branches of their armed forces, such as the navy or air force, to provide military capability. Overall, the size of a country’s army is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to military strength.
Army Size by Country
# | Country | Number of Active Military Personnel (2022) | Percentage Change (vs. 2021) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | People's Republic of China | 2,035,000 | 0% |
2 | India | 1,460,350 | 0.13% |
3 | United States of America | 1,395,350 | 0.52% |
4 | North Korea | 1,280,000 | 0% |
5 | Russia | 900,000 | 0% |
6 | Pakistan | 651,800 | 0% |
7 | Iran | 610,000 | 0% |
8 | South Korea | 555,000 | -7.35% |
9 | Vietnam | 482,000 | 0% |
10 | Egypt | 438,500 | 0% |
11 | Indonesia | 395,500 | 0% |
12 | Brazil | 366,500 | 0% |
13 | Thailand | 360,850 | 0% |
14 | Myanmar | 356,000 | -12.32% |
15 | Turkey | 355,200 | 0% |
16 | Saudi Arabia | 257,000 | 13.22% |
17 | Colombia | 255,950 | -12.7% |
18 | Sri Lanka | 255,000 | 0% |
19 | Japan | 247,150 | 0% |
20 | Mexico | 216,000 | 0% |
21 | France | 203,250 | 0% |
22 | Eritrea | 201,750 | 0% |
23 | Ukraine | 196,600 | -5.93% |
24 | Morocco | 195,800 | 0% |
25 | Iraq | 193,000 | 0% |
26 | Germany | 183,400 | -0.05% |
27 | Israel | 169,500 | 0% |
28 | Syria | 169,000 | 0% |
29 | Taiwan | 169,000 | 3.68% |
30 | Afghanistan | 165,000 | -7.72% |
31 | Bangladesh | 163,050 | 0% |
32 | Italy | 161,550 | -2.39% |
33 | United Kingdom | 153,200 | 3.16% |
34 | Philippines | 145,300 | 1.54% |
35 | Greece | 143,300 | 0.42% |
36 | Nigeria | 143,000 | 0% |
37 | Algeria | 139,000 | 6.92% |
38 | Ethiopia | 138,000 | 0% |
39 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 134,250 | 0% |
40 | Cambodia | 124,300 | 0% |
41 | Venezuela | 123,000 | 0% |
42 | Spain | 122,850 | 0% |
43 | Poland | 114,050 | 0% |
44 | Malaysia | 113,000 | 0% |
45 | Angola | 107,000 | 0% |
46 | Sudan | 104,300 | 0% |
47 | Jordan | 100,500 | 0% |
48 | Nepal | 96,600 | 0% |
49 | Peru | 81,000 | 0% |
50 | South Africa | 74,000 | -0.67% |
51 | Argentina | 72,100 | 0% |
52 | Romania | 71,500 | 4.38% |
53 | Chile | 68,500 | -11.27% |
54 | Azerbaijan | 66,950 | 0% |
55 | Canada | 66,500 | -1.34% |
56 | United Arab Emirates | 63,000 | 0% |
57 | Lebanon | 60,000 | 0% |
58 | Australia | 59,600 | 1.71% |
59 | Dominican Republic | 56,050 | 0% |
60 | Moldova | 55,150 | 970.87% |
61 | South Sudan | 53,000 | -71.35% |
62 | Singapore | 51,000 | 0% |
63 | Cuba | 49,000 | 0% |
64 | Uzbekistan | 48,000 | 0% |
65 | Belarus | 47,950 | 5.73% |
66 | Uganda | 45,000 | 0% |
67 | Armenia | 42,900 | -4.24% |
68 | Oman | 42,600 | 0% |
69 | Ecuador | 41,250 | 0% |
70 | Yemen | 40,000 | 0% |
71 | Kazakhstan | 39,000 | 0% |
72 | Bulgaria | 36,950 | 0% |
73 | Turkmenistan | 36,500 | 0% |
74 | Tunisia | 35,800 | 0% |
75 | Hungary | 34,200 | 23.02% |
76 | Bolivia | 34,100 | 0% |
77 | Netherlands | 33,600 | 0% |
78 | Chad | 33,500 | 0.75% |
79 | Rwanda | 33,000 | 0% |
80 | Burundi | 30,050 | 0% |
81 | Laos | 29,100 | 0% |
82 | Zimbabwe | 29,000 | 0% |
83 | Serbia | 28,150 | 0% |
84 | Ivory Coast | 27,400 | 0% |
85 | Portugal | 27,250 | 0% |
86 | Tanzania | 27,000 | 0% |
87 | Czech Republic | 26,600 | 6.83% |
88 | Cameroon | 25,400 | 0% |
89 | Norway | 25,400 | 13.65% |
90 | El Salvador | 24,500 | 0% |
91 | Kenya | 24,100 | 0% |
92 | Austria | 23,300 | 5.67% |
93 | Lithuania | 23,000 | 4.55% |
94 | Uruguay | 21,100 | 0.48% |
95 | Mali | 21,000 | 61.54% |
96 | Georgia | 20,650 | 0% |
97 | Switzerland | 19,550 | 0% |
98 | Finland | 19,250 | -19.12% |
99 | Guatemala | 18,050 | 0% |
100 | Slovakia | 17,950 | 13.25% |
101 | Kuwait | 17,500 | 0% |
102 | Croatia | 16,700 | 9.87% |
103 | Qatar | 16,500 | 0% |
104 | Mauritania | 15,850 | 0% |
105 | Ghana | 15,500 | 0% |
106 | Denmark | 15,400 | 0% |
107 | Zambia | 15,100 | 0% |
108 | Honduras | 14,950 | 3.1% |
109 | Sweden | 14,600 | 0% |
110 | Paraguay | 13,950 | 0% |
111 | Somalia | 13,900 | -29.8% |
112 | Senegal | 13,600 | 0% |
113 | Madagascar | 13,500 | 0% |
114 | Cyprus | 12,000 | -20% |
115 | Nicaragua | 12,000 | 0% |
116 | Burkina Faso | 11,200 | 0% |
117 | Mozambique | 11,200 | 0% |
118 | Kyrgyzstan | 10,900 | 0% |
119 | Malawi | 10,700 | 0% |
120 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 10,500 | 0% |
121 | Djibouti | 10,450 | 0% |
122 | Republic of the Congo | 10,000 | 0% |
123 | Namibia | 9,900 | 0% |
124 | New Zealand | 9,750 | 3.72% |
125 | Guinea | 9,700 | % |
126 | Mongolia | 9,700 | 0% |
127 | Central African Republic | 9,150 | 0% |
128 | Botswana | 9,000 | 0% |
129 | Tajikistan | 8,800 | 0% |
130 | Latvia | 8,750 | 40% |
131 | Ireland | 8,550 | -2.29% |
132 | Togo | 8,550 | 0% |
133 | Sierra Leone | 8,500 | 0% |
134 | Bahrain | 8,200 | 0% |
135 | Republic of Macedonia | 8,000 | 0% |
136 | Albania | 7,500 | -6.25% |
137 | Benin | 7,250 | 0% |
138 | Brunei | 7,200 | 0% |
139 | Estonia | 7,200 | 1.41% |
140 | Slovenia | 6,950 | 0% |
141 | Jamaica | 5,950 | 0% |
142 | Belgium | 5,900 | -76.4% |
143 | Niger | 5,300 | 0% |
144 | Gabon | 4,700 | 0% |
145 | Trinidad and Tobago | 4,650 | 1.09% |
146 | Guinea-Bissau | 4,450 | % |
147 | The Gambia | 4,100 | 0% |
148 | Fiji | 4,040 | 0% |
149 | Papua New Guinea | 4,000 | 11.11% |
150 | Guyana | 3,400 | 0% |
151 | Montenegro | 2,350 | 0% |
152 | East Timor | 2,280 | 0% |
153 | Liberia | 2,010 | 0% |
154 | Lesotho | 2,000 | 0% |
155 | Suriname | 1,840 | 0% |
156 | Malta | 1,700 | 0% |
157 | Belize | 1,500 | 0% |
158 | The Bahamas | 1,500 | 0% |
159 | Equatorial Guinea | 1,450 | 0% |
160 | Barbados | 610 | 0% |
161 | Haiti | 500 | 0% |
162 | Seychelles | 420 | 0% |
163 | Luxembourg | 410 | 0% |
164 | Iceland | 250 | INF% |
165 | Antigua and Barbuda | 180 | 0% |
166 | Costa Rica | 0 | 0% |
167 | Mauritius | 0 | -100% |
168 | Panama | 0 | -100% |
Largest Militaries in the World
The ten largest militaries in the world are dominated by five countries: China, India, the United States, North Korea, and Russia. These countries have significantly larger militaries compared to the other five countries on the list.
China has the largest military in the world with over 2 million military personnel. This is followed by India with 1.4 million personnel and the United States with over 1.3 million military personnel. These three countries alone account for almost half of the total number of military personnel on the list. North Korea, despite its relatively small population, has the fourth largest military in the world with over 1.2 million personnel. Russia follows with 900,000 personnel, which is significantly smaller than its Soviet-era military but still one of the largest in the world.
Pakistan, Iran, South Korea, Vietnam, and Egypt complete the list of the top ten largest militaries in the world. These countries have significantly smaller militaries compared to the top five. Pakistan has the sixth largest military in the world, with a total of 651,800 army personnel, while Iran has the seventh largest military in the world, with 610,000 military personnel. The eighth and ninth largest militaries in the world are South Korea, with 555,000 personnel, and Vietnam, with 482,000 army personnel. Finally, the tenth country with the largest military is Egypt, with a total of 438,500 military personnel.
The ten countries with the largest armies in the world, in terms of their active military personnel capacity, are :
1. People’s Republic of China – 2,035,000
2. India – 1,460,350
3. United States of America – 1,395,350
4. North Korea – 1,280,000
5. Russia – 900,000
6. Pakistan – 651,800
7. Iran – 610,000
8. South Korea – 555,000
9. Vietnam – 482,000
10. Egypt – 438,500
Largest Military in the World
China has the largest military force in the world, with a total army personnel of 2,035,000 people. The Chinese military is composed of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which includes the army, navy, air force, and strategic missile force. China’s military budget is the second-largest in the world after the United States, allowing the country to continuously improve its defense capabilities. The size of the Chinese military is not only for defense purposes but also serves as a show of strength and a symbol of China’s global influence. However, the size of the army does not necessarily equate to military superiority, as other factors such as technology and strategy play a crucial role in modern warfare.
Military Size by Country
Afghanistan
Number of Active Military Personnel
165,000
↓ 7.72%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#30
Afghanistan has the thirtieth largest military in the world, encompassing 165,000 active personnel. Afghanistan spends approximately $278,250,788 every year on military expenditures. The country ranks one hundred and eighth in terms of the annual amount spent on its military.
Albania
Number of Active Military Personnel
7,500
↓ 6.25%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#136
289 million
Ranked in the World
#107
Algeria
Number of Active Military Personnel
139,000
↑ 6.92%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#37
9 billion
Ranked in the World
#26
Angola
Number of Active Military Personnel
107,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#45
2 billion
Ranked in the World
#63
Antigua and Barbuda
Number of Active Military Personnel
180
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#165
Argentina
Number of Active Military Personnel
72,100
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#51
3 billion
Ranked in the World
#56
Armenia
Number of Active Military Personnel
42,900
↓ 4.24%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#67
795 million
Ranked in the World
#80
Australia
Number of Active Military Personnel
59,600
↑ 1.71%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#58
32 billion
Ranked in the World
#13
Australia has the fifty-eighth largest military in the world, encompassing 59,600 active personnel. Australia spends approximately $31,753,716,216 every year on military expenditures. The country ranks twelfth in terms of the annual amount spent on its military.
Austria
Number of Active Military Personnel
23,300
↑ 5.67%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#92
4 billion
Ranked in the World
#49
Azerbaijan
Number of Active Military Personnel
66,950
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#54
3 billion
Ranked in the World
#53
Bahrain
Number of Active Military Personnel
8,200
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#134
1 billion
Ranked in the World
#65
Bangladesh
Number of Active Military Personnel
163,050
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#31
5 billion
Ranked in the World
#43
Barbados
Number of Active Military Personnel
610
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#160
Belarus
Number of Active Military Personnel
47,950
↑ 5.73%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#65
821 million
Ranked in the World
#78
Belarus has the seventy-seventh largest military in the world, encompassing 47,950 active personnel. The country of Belarus spends approximately $762,776,224 every year on military expenditures. The country ranks seventy-seventh in terms of the annual amount spent on its military.
Belgium
Number of Active Military Personnel
5,900
↓ 76.4%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#142
7 billion
Ranked in the World
#33
Belize
Number of Active Military Personnel
1,500
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#157
24 million
Ranked in the World
#144
Benin
Number of Active Military Personnel
7,250
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#137
97 million
Ranked in the World
#130
Bolivia
Number of Active Military Personnel
34,100
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#76
640 million
Ranked in the World
#83
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Number of Active Military Personnel
10,500
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#120
184 million
Ranked in the World
#117
Botswana
Number of Active Military Personnel
9,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#128
489 million
Ranked in the World
#90
Brazil
Number of Active Military Personnel
366,500
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#12
20 billion
Ranked in the World
#17
Brunei
Number of Active Military Personnel
7,200
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#138
436 million
Ranked in the World
#93
Bulgaria
Number of Active Military Personnel
36,950
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#72
1 billion
Ranked in the World
#67
Burkina Faso
Number of Active Military Personnel
11,200
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#116
563 million
Ranked in the World
#87
Burundi
Number of Active Military Personnel
30,050
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#80
101 million
Ranked in the World
#126
Cambodia
Number of Active Military Personnel
124,300
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#40
611 million
Ranked in the World
#84
Cameroon
Number of Active Military Personnel
25,400
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#88
417 million
Ranked in the World
#98
Canada
Number of Active Military Personnel
66,500
↓ 1.34%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#55
27 billion
Ranked in the World
#14
Canada has the fifty-fifth largest military in the world, encompassing 66,500 active personnel. Canada spends approximately $26,449,162,679 every year on military expenditures. The country ranks thirteenth in terms of the annual amount spent on its military.
Central African Republic
Number of Active Military Personnel
9,150
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#127
42 million
Ranked in the World
#139
Chad
Number of Active Military Personnel
33,500
↑ 0.75%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#78
357 million
Ranked in the World
#104
Chile
Number of Active Military Personnel
68,500
↓ 11.27%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#53
6 billion
Ranked in the World
#38
Colombia
Number of Active Military Personnel
255,950
↓ 12.7%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#17
10 billion
Ranked in the World
#25
Costa Rica
Number of Active Military Personnel
0
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#166
Ranked in the World
#149
Costa Rica has the one-hundred-sixty-sixth largest military in the world, encompassing no active personnel. Costa Rica is one of the few countries in the world that does not have an army. This has been true since 1949 when President José Figueres Ferrer abolished the Costa Rican army in an effort to reallocate resources towards education and other public services. As a result, military expenditures were redirected to economic development, health care, and poverty reduction. The decision to forgo an army also allowed the nation to reduce its arms imports and instead focus on furthering its social welfare programs and expanding access to education for all citizens.
Croatia
Number of Active Military Personnel
16,700
↑ 9.87%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#102
1 billion
Ranked in the World
#68
Cuba
Number of Active Military Personnel
49,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#63
Cyprus
Number of Active Military Personnel
12,000
↓ 20%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#114
494 million
Ranked in the World
#89
Czech Republic
Number of Active Military Personnel
26,600
↑ 6.83%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#87
4 billion
Ranked in the World
#46
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Number of Active Military Personnel
134,250
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#39
371 million
Ranked in the World
#100
Denmark
Number of Active Military Personnel
15,400
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#106
5 billion
Ranked in the World
#39
Djibouti
Number of Active Military Personnel
10,450
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#121
Dominican Republic
Number of Active Military Personnel
56,050
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#59
761 million
Ranked in the World
#81
East Timor
Number of Active Military Personnel
2,280
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#152
44 million
Ranked in the World
#138
Ecuador
Number of Active Military Personnel
41,250
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#69
2 billion
Ranked in the World
#58
Egypt
Number of Active Military Personnel
438,500
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#10
5 billion
Ranked in the World
#45
Egypt has the tenth largest military in the world, encompassing 438,500 active personnel. Egypt spends approximately $5,165,445,627 every year on military expenditures. The country ranks forty-third in terms of the annual amount spent on its military.
El Salvador
Number of Active Military Personnel
24,500
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#90
422 million
Ranked in the World
#97
Equatorial Guinea
Number of Active Military Personnel
1,450
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#159
157 million
Ranked in the World
#120
Eritrea
Number of Active Military Personnel
201,750
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#22
Estonia
Number of Active Military Personnel
7,200
↑ 1.41%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#139
811 million
Ranked in the World
#79
Ethiopia
Number of Active Military Personnel
138,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#38
1 billion
Ranked in the World
#74
Fiji
Number of Active Military Personnel
4,040
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#148
67 million
Ranked in the World
#136
Finland
Number of Active Military Personnel
19,250
↓ 19.12%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#98
5 billion
Ranked in the World
#42
Finland has the ninety-eighth largest military in the world, encompassing 19,250 active personnel. Finland spends approximately $5,903,500,473 every year on military expenditures. The country ranks thirty-seventh in terms of the annual amount spent on its military.
France
Number of Active Military Personnel
203,250
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#21
54 billion
Ranked in the World
#8
France has the twenty-first largest military in the world, encompassing 203,250 active personnel. France spends approximately $56,646,996,216 every year on military expenditures. The country ranks sixth in terms of the annual amount spent on its military.
Gabon
Number of Active Military Personnel
4,700
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#144
278 million
Ranked in the World
#109
Georgia
Number of Active Military Personnel
20,650
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#96
360 million
Ranked in the World
#103
Germany
Number of Active Military Personnel
183,400
↓ 0.05%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#26
56 billion
Ranked in the World
#7
Germany has the twenty-sixth largest military in the world, encompassing 183,400 active personnel. Germany spends approximately $56,017,029,328 every year on military expenditures. The country ranks seventh in terms of the annual amount spent on its military.
Ghana
Number of Active Military Personnel
15,500
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#105
229 million
Ranked in the World
#112
Greece
Number of Active Military Personnel
143,300
↑ 0.42%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#35
8 billion
Ranked in the World
#31
Greece has the thirty-fifth largest military in the world, encompassing 143,300 active personnel. Greece spends approximately $8,079,943,236 every year on military expenditures. The country ranks thirty-first in terms of the annual amount spent on its military.
Guatemala
Number of Active Military Personnel
18,050
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#99
431 million
Ranked in the World
#95
Guinea
Number of Active Military Personnel
9,700
-
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#125
441 million
Ranked in the World
#92
Guinea-Bissau
Number of Active Military Personnel
4,450
-
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#146
25 million
Ranked in the World
#142
Guyana
Number of Active Military Personnel
3,400
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#150
84 million
Ranked in the World
#132
Haiti
Number of Active Military Personnel
500
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#161
13 million
Ranked in the World
#148
Haiti has the one-hundred-sixty-first largest military in the world, encompassing 500 active personnel. Haiti spends approximately $20,912,067 every year on military expenditures. The country ranks one-hundred forty-seventh in terms of the annual amount spent on its military.
Honduras
Number of Active Military Personnel
14,950
↑ 3.1%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#108
478 million
Ranked in the World
#91
Hungary
Number of Active Military Personnel
34,200
↑ 23.02%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#75
3 billion
Ranked in the World
#57
Iceland
Number of Active Military Personnel
250
↑ INF%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#164
Ranked in the World
#150
Iceland has the one-hundred-sixty-fourth largest military in the world, encompassing 250 active personnel. Iceland's military size is quite small in comparison to other countries and mainly consists of 250 personnel within the Icelandic Coast Guard. Despite this very minor size, Iceland uniquely does not invest in its military forces; rather, the government utilizes NATO troops as a form of collective defense. This allows the country to allocate its resources toward other areas such as financial and social development. In addition, Iceland does not possess any nuclear weapons or weapon systems, preferring instead to focus on maintaining peace and security through nonviolent approaches.
India
Number of Active Military Personnel
1,460,350
↑ 0.13%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#2
81 billion
Ranked in the World
#4
India has the second largest military in the world, encompassing 1,460,350 active personnel. This force can be divided into three main branches: the Indian Army, which accounts for 80% of its personnel; the Indian Navy, which commands a fleet of nearly 200 ships and submarines; and the Indian Air Force, which boasts 1,700 aircraft. The total defense spending of India stands at around $76 billion per year and has increased steadily over recent years in order to bolster its defensive capabilities. Not only does India have an extremely large military size but they also boast one of the most experienced militaries in the world that have served in various global peacekeeping missions.
Indonesia
Number of Active Military Personnel
395,500
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#11
9 billion
Ranked in the World
#27
Iran
Number of Active Military Personnel
610,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#7
7 billion
Ranked in the World
#34
Iran has the seventh largest military in the world, encompassing 610,000 active personnel. Iran spends approximately $24,589,091,554 every year on military expenditures. The country ranks fourteenth in terms of the annual amount spent on its military.
Iraq
Number of Active Military Personnel
193,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#25
5 billion
Ranked in the World
#44
Ireland
Number of Active Military Personnel
8,550
↓ 2.29%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#131
1 billion
Ranked in the World
#69
Israel
Number of Active Military Personnel
169,500
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#27
23 billion
Ranked in the World
#15
Italy
Number of Active Military Personnel
161,550
↓ 2.39%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#32
33 billion
Ranked in the World
#12
Ivory Coast
Number of Active Military Personnel
27,400
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#84
607 million
Ranked in the World
#85
Jamaica
Number of Active Military Personnel
5,950
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#141
215 million
Ranked in the World
#115
Jamaica has the one-hundred-forty-first largest military in the world, encompassing 5,950 active personnel. While Jamaica's military size is relatively modest compared to many other nations, the nation does maintain a large reserve component consisting of 2,580 additional personnel. Jamaica also maintains its own coast guard and air wing, providing a certain level of maritime and aerial defense capabilities. In addition to this, Jamaica regularly participates in joint military operations with other Caribbean nations as part of its regional security initiatives. This collaboration is aimed at fostering greater stability and support within the region while also helping to deter any potential threats or hostile actors that could potentially disrupt peace in the region.
Japan
Number of Active Military Personnel
247,150
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#19
46 billion
Ranked in the World
#10
Japan's military, known as the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), has approximately 247,000 active personnel and 57,000 reservists, making it one of the largest military forces in Asia. However, in comparison to the United States, Japan's military is significantly smaller. The United States has the third largest military in the world, with over 1.3 million active personnel and over 800,000 reservists. Despite its smaller size, the JSDF is considered to be a modern and well-equipped military force, with advanced technology and training. Japan's military is primarily focused on self-defense and maintaining regional security, due in part to constitutional restrictions on its ability to engage in offensive military operations. Additionally, Japan maintains a close military alliance with the United States and frequently conducts joint military exercises and operations with US forces.
Jordan
Number of Active Military Personnel
100,500
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#47
2 billion
Ranked in the World
#59
Kazakhstan
Number of Active Military Personnel
39,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#71
1 billion
Ranked in the World
#72
Kenya
Number of Active Military Personnel
24,100
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#91
1 billion
Ranked in the World
#71
Kuwait
Number of Active Military Personnel
17,500
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#101
8 billion
Ranked in the World
#30
Kyrgyzstan
Number of Active Military Personnel
10,900
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#118
150 million
Ranked in the World
#121
Laos
Number of Active Military Personnel
29,100
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#81
Latvia
Number of Active Military Personnel
8,750
↑ 40%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#130
849 million
Ranked in the World
#76
Lebanon
Number of Active Military Personnel
60,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#57
Lesotho
Number of Active Military Personnel
2,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#154
35 million
Ranked in the World
#140
Liberia
Number of Active Military Personnel
2,010
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#153
19 million
Ranked in the World
#146
Lithuania
Number of Active Military Personnel
23,000
↑ 4.55%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#93
2 billion
Ranked in the World
#62
Luxembourg
Number of Active Military Personnel
410
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#163
565 million
Ranked in the World
#86
Madagascar
Number of Active Military Personnel
13,500
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#113
98 million
Ranked in the World
#128
Malawi
Number of Active Military Personnel
10,700
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#119
76 million
Ranked in the World
#134
Malaysia
Number of Active Military Personnel
113,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#44
4 billion
Ranked in the World
#48
Mali
Number of Active Military Personnel
21,000
↑ 61.54%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#95
515 million
Ranked in the World
#88
Malta
Number of Active Military Personnel
1,700
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#156
87 million
Ranked in the World
#131
Mauritania
Number of Active Military Personnel
15,850
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#104
225 million
Ranked in the World
#113
Mauritius
Number of Active Military Personnel
0
↓ 100%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#167
20 million
Ranked in the World
#145
Mexico
Number of Active Military Personnel
216,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#20
9 billion
Ranked in the World
#28
Moldova
Number of Active Military Personnel
55,150
↑ 970.87%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#60
48 million
Ranked in the World
#137
Moldova has the one-hundred-thirty-ninth largest military in the world, encompassing 55,150 active personnel. Moldova spends approximately $52,293,263 every year on military expenditures. The country ranks one-hundred thirty-ninth in terms of the annual amount spent on its military.
Mongolia
Number of Active Military Personnel
9,700
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#126
118 million
Ranked in the World
#122
Montenegro
Number of Active Military Personnel
2,350
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#151
98 million
Ranked in the World
#127
Morocco
Number of Active Military Personnel
195,800
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#24
5 billion
Ranked in the World
#41
Mozambique
Number of Active Military Personnel
11,200
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#117
282 million
Ranked in the World
#108
Myanmar
Number of Active Military Personnel
356,000
↓ 12.32%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#14
2 billion
Ranked in the World
#61
Namibia
Number of Active Military Personnel
9,900
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#123
369 million
Ranked in the World
#101
Nepal
Number of Active Military Personnel
96,600
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#48
428 million
Ranked in the World
#96
Netherlands
Number of Active Military Personnel
33,600
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#77
16 billion
Ranked in the World
#19
New Zealand
Number of Active Military Personnel
9,750
↑ 3.72%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#124
3 billion
Ranked in the World
#55
Nicaragua
Number of Active Military Personnel
12,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#115
84 million
Ranked in the World
#133
Niger
Number of Active Military Personnel
5,300
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#143
243 million
Ranked in the World
#111
Nigeria
Number of Active Military Personnel
143,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#36
3 billion
Ranked in the World
#51
North Korea
Number of Active Military Personnel
1,280,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#4
North Korea has the fourth largest military in the world, encompassing 1,280,000 active personnel. The amount of money North Korea spends annually on its military is currently unknown. The country employs mandatory military conscription for both males and females.
Norway
Number of Active Military Personnel
25,400
↑ 13.65%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#89
8 billion
Ranked in the World
#29
Oman
Number of Active Military Personnel
42,600
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#68
6 billion
Ranked in the World
#36
Pakistan
Number of Active Military Personnel
651,800
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#6
10 billion
Ranked in the World
#24
Pakistan has the sixth largest military in the world, encompassing 651,800 active personnel. Pakistan spends approximately $11,304,829,853 every year on military expenditures. The country ranks twenty-third in terms of the annual amount spent on its military.
Panama
Number of Active Military Personnel
0
↓ 100%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#168
Ranked in the World
#151
Papua New Guinea
Number of Active Military Personnel
4,000
↑ 11.11%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#149
97 million
Ranked in the World
#129
Paraguay
Number of Active Military Personnel
13,950
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#110
366 million
Ranked in the World
#102
People's Republic of China
Number of Active Military Personnel
2,035,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#1
292 billion
Ranked in the World
#2
China has the largest active-duty military force in the world, with an estimated 2 million personnel. In addition to its active-duty troops, China has an additional 510,000 reserve personnel. China has been rapidly modernizing its military in recent years, with significant investments in new technologies such as advanced missiles, drones, and cyber capabilities. The country also has the world's largest standing army and a nuclear arsenal, with an estimated 350 nuclear warheads. Finally, China's military spending has been increasing over the years, with a budget of over $200 billion in 2021, making it the second-highest military spender after the United States.
Peru
Number of Active Military Personnel
81,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#49
3 billion
Ranked in the World
#54
Philippines
Number of Active Military Personnel
145,300
↑ 1.54%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#34
4 billion
Ranked in the World
#47
Poland
Number of Active Military Personnel
114,050
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#43
17 billion
Ranked in the World
#18
Poland has the forty-sixth largest military in the world, encompassing 114,050 active personnel. Poland spends approximately $13,710,679,108 every year on military expenditures. The country ranks twentieth in terms of the annual amount spent on its military.
Portugal
Number of Active Military Personnel
27,250
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#85
4 billion
Ranked in the World
#50
Qatar
Number of Active Military Personnel
16,500
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#103
15 billion
Ranked in the World
#20
Republic of Macedonia
Number of Active Military Personnel
8,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#135
225 million
Ranked in the World
#114
Republic of the Congo
Number of Active Military Personnel
10,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#122
266 million
Ranked in the World
#110
Romania
Number of Active Military Personnel
71,500
↑ 4.38%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#52
5 billion
Ranked in the World
#40
Russia
Number of Active Military Personnel
900,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#5
86 billion
Ranked in the World
#3
Russia has a standing army of 900,000 personnel, making it the fifth-largest military force in the world. This figure includes both active-duty soldiers and reserve forces. The country's military budget has increased in recent years, with a focus on modernizing and upgrading its equipment and capabilities. Russia's military has been involved in various conflicts, including its ongoing intervention in Syria and its annexation of Crimea in 2014. Overall, Russia's military remains a significant global player, both in terms of size and strategic importance.
Rwanda
Number of Active Military Personnel
33,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#79
177 million
Ranked in the World
#119
Saudi Arabia
Number of Active Military Personnel
257,000
↑ 13.22%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#16
75 billion
Ranked in the World
#5
Saudi Arabia has the sixteenth largest military in the world, encompassing 257,000 active personnel. Saudi Arabia's military is well-equipped with a strong air force, naval fleet, and ground forces, with the majority of the personnel comprising their Army. The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) operates an array of advanced combat aircraft such as F-15s, Eurofighter Typhoons, and Apache helicopters. The Royal Saudi Navy maintains one of the largest fleets in the Middle East region, consisting of over 80 major surface vessels and a number of submarines. It has also recently acquired four new corvettes from Spain. In addition to this, the Royal Saudi Land Forces are armed with T-90 tanks and other modern weapon systems making them an effective land force in the region.
Senegal
Number of Active Military Personnel
13,600
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#112
433 million
Ranked in the World
#94
Serbia
Number of Active Military Personnel
28,150
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#83
1 billion
Ranked in the World
#64
Seychelles
Number of Active Military Personnel
420
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#162
26 million
Ranked in the World
#141
Sierra Leone
Number of Active Military Personnel
8,500
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#133
25 million
Ranked in the World
#143
Singapore
Number of Active Military Personnel
51,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#62
12 billion
Ranked in the World
#22
Slovakia
Number of Active Military Personnel
17,950
↑ 13.25%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#100
2 billion
Ranked in the World
#60
Slovenia
Number of Active Military Personnel
6,950
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#140
735 million
Ranked in the World
#82
Somalia
Number of Active Military Personnel
13,900
↓ 29.8%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#111
115 million
Ranked in the World
#123
South Africa
Number of Active Military Personnel
74,000
↓ 0.67%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#50
3 billion
Ranked in the World
#52
South Korea
Number of Active Military Personnel
555,000
↓ 7.35%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#8
46 billion
Ranked in the World
#9
South Korea has the eighth largest military in the world, encompassing 555,000 active personnel. South Korea spends approximately $50,226,948,867 every year on military expenditures. The country ranks tenth in terms of the annual amount spent on its military.
South Sudan
Number of Active Military Personnel
53,000
↓ 71.35%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#61
379 million
Ranked in the World
#99
Spain
Number of Active Military Personnel
122,850
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#42
20 billion
Ranked in the World
#16
Sri Lanka
Number of Active Military Personnel
255,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#18
1 billion
Ranked in the World
#73
Sudan
Number of Active Military Personnel
104,300
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#46
Suriname
Number of Active Military Personnel
1,840
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#155
Sweden
Number of Active Military Personnel
14,600
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#109
8 billion
Ranked in the World
#32
Switzerland
Number of Active Military Personnel
19,550
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#97
6 billion
Ranked in the World
#35
Switzerland has the ninety-seventh largest military size in the world, encompassing 19,550 active personnel. Switzerland spends approximately $5,738,402,626 every year on military expenditures. The country ranks thirty-ninth in terms of the annual amount spent on its military.
Syria
Number of Active Military Personnel
169,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#28
Taiwan
Number of Active Military Personnel
169,000
↑ 3.68%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#29
13 billion
Ranked in the World
#21
Taiwan has the twenty-ninth largest military in the world, encompassing 169,000 active personnel. Taiwan spends approximately $12,958,452,722 every year in military expenditures. The country ranks twenty-first in terms of the annual amount spent on its military.
Tajikistan
Number of Active Military Personnel
8,800
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#129
103 million
Ranked in the World
#125
Tanzania
Number of Active Military Personnel
27,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#86
832 million
Ranked in the World
#77
Thailand
Number of Active Military Personnel
360,850
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#13
6 billion
Ranked in the World
#37
The Bahamas
Number of Active Military Personnel
1,500
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#158
The Gambia
Number of Active Military Personnel
4,100
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#147
15 million
Ranked in the World
#147
Togo
Number of Active Military Personnel
8,550
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#132
337 million
Ranked in the World
#105
Trinidad and Tobago
Number of Active Military Personnel
4,650
↑ 1.09%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#145
201 million
Ranked in the World
#116
Tunisia
Number of Active Military Personnel
35,800
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#74
1 billion
Ranked in the World
#70
Turkey
Number of Active Military Personnel
355,200
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#15
11 billion
Ranked in the World
#23
Turkey has the fifthteenth largest military in the world, encompassing 355,200 active personnel. Turkey spends approximately $15,478,850,939 every year in military expenditures. The country ranks eighteenth in terms of the annual amount spent on its military.
Turkmenistan
Number of Active Military Personnel
36,500
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#73
Uganda
Number of Active Military Personnel
45,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#66
923 million
Ranked in the World
#75
Ukraine
Number of Active Military Personnel
196,600
↓ 5.93%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#23
44 billion
Ranked in the World
#11
Ukraine has the twenty-third largest military size in the world, encompassing 196,600 active personnel. Ukraine's armed forces are made up of the Ground Forces, the Air Force, the Naval Forces, and several other military units. In addition to that, Ukraine has four military academies and more than 700 training institutions for both regular and reserve officers. The country also maintains a fleet of over 400 warships and combat vessels for use in defense missions. The Ukrainian government continues to invest in its military infrastructure by purchasing new equipment and developing new defense strategies.
United Arab Emirates
Number of Active Military Personnel
63,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#56
United Kingdom
Number of Active Military Personnel
153,200
↑ 3.16%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#33
68 billion
Ranked in the World
#6
The United Kingdom has the thirty-third largest military in the world, encompassing 153,200 active personnel. The United Kingdom spends approximately $68,366,440,552 every year on military expenditures. The country ranks fourth in terms of the annual amount spent on its military.
United States of America
Number of Active Military Personnel
1,395,350
↑ 0.52%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#3
877 billion
Ranked in the World
#1
The United States military is one of the largest in the world with an estimated active duty force of around 1.3 million personnel. It also has over 800,000 reserve forces, making it a significant force in times of conflict. The U.S. military is equipped with a wide range of advanced weaponry, including nuclear weapons, and has a significant presence around the world. In addition to its large ground forces, the U.S. also has a strong naval and air force presence, with numerous aircraft carriers and fighter jets at its disposal. The U.S. military budget is also one of the largest in the world, with an estimated expenditure of over $700 billion in 2021.
Uruguay
Number of Active Military Personnel
21,100
↑ 0.48%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#94
1 billion
Ranked in the World
#66
Uzbekistan
Number of Active Military Personnel
48,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#64
Venezuela
Number of Active Military Personnel
123,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#41
Vietnam
Number of Active Military Personnel
482,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#9
Vietnam has the ninth largest military in the world, encompassing 482,000 active personnel. Vietnam has no mandatory military conscription system in place.
Yemen
Number of Active Military Personnel
40,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#70
Zambia
Number of Active Military Personnel
15,100
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#107
326 million
Ranked in the World
#106
Zimbabwe
Number of Active Military Personnel
29,000
- 0%
Vs 2021
Ranked in the World
#82
182 million
Ranked in the World
#118
FAQs
Who has the biggest military ?
The country with the biggest military in the world is China, with a total military personnel of 2,035,000 people.
Which countries have the largest armies in the world ?
The fifteen countries with the largest armies, in terms of the number of military personnel by country, are China, India, the US, North Korea, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, South Korea, Vietnam, Egypt, Indonesia, Brazil, Thailand, Myanmar, and Turkey.
What are the 10 largest militaries in the world ?
The 10 largest militaries in the world are :
1. People’s Republic of China – 2,035,000
2. India – 1,460,350
3. United States of America – 1,395,350
4. North Korea – 1,280,000
5. Russia – 900,000
6. Pakistan – 651,800
7. Iran – 610,000
8. South Korea – 555,000
9. Vietnam – 482,000
10. Egypt – 438,500
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