World Military Size 1985-2024
Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces.
- World military size for 2020 was 27,406,000.00, a 0.96% decline from 2019.
- World military size for 2019 was 27,671,000.00, a 0.09% increase from 2018.
- World military size for 2018 was 27,645,315.00, a 0.84% increase from 2017.
- World military size for 2017 was 27,414,000.00, a 0.47% decline from 2016.
| Similar Country Ranking |
| Country Name |
Number of People |
| World |
27,406,000.00 |
| East Asia & Pacific |
7,909,000.00 |
| OECD members |
5,861,000.00 |
| South Asia |
4,832,000.00 |
| Latin America & Caribbean |
2,740,000.00 |
| European Union |
1,913,000.00 |
| Sub-Saharan Africa |
1,732,000.00 |
| North America |
1,467,000.00 |
| Euro Area |
1,456,000.00 |
| World Military Size - Historical Data |
| Year |
Number of People |
Annual % Change |
| 2020 |
27,406,000.00 |
-0.96% |
| 2019 |
27,671,000.00 |
0.09% |
| 2018 |
27,645,315.00 |
0.84% |
| 2017 |
27,414,000.00 |
-0.47% |
| 2016 |
27,542,350.00 |
0.38% |
| 2015 |
27,437,280.00 |
0.47% |
| 2014 |
27,309,630.00 |
0.38% |
| 2013 |
27,206,623.00 |
-3.37% |
| 2012 |
28,154,374.00 |
0.48% |
| 2011 |
28,020,079.00 |
-0.40% |
| 2010 |
28,133,971.00 |
0.75% |
| 2009 |
27,924,096.00 |
1.57% |
| 2008 |
27,493,342.00 |
0.88% |
| 2007 |
27,253,882.00 |
0.83% |
| 2006 |
27,029,682.00 |
-5.29% |
| 2005 |
28,539,442.00 |
5.38% |
| 2004 |
27,081,142.00 |
-3.84% |
| 2003 |
28,161,400.00 |
-0.51% |
| 2002 |
28,306,950.00 |
0.34% |
| 2001 |
28,211,700.00 |
-3.89% |
| 2000 |
29,353,100.00 |
-0.78% |
| 1999 |
29,584,140.00 |
-1.14% |
| 1998 |
29,926,660.00 |
0.21% |
| 1997 |
29,863,220.00 |
-1.10% |
| 1996 |
30,196,640.00 |
0.05% |
| 1995 |
30,182,200.00 |
30.12% |
| 1994 |
23,195,000.00 |
-2.30% |
| 1993 |
23,741,000.00 |
-3.23% |
| 1992 |
24,533,000.00 |
7.95% |
| 1991 |
22,726,000.00 |
-4.98% |
| 1990 |
23,918,000.00 |
-1.56% |
| 1989 |
24,298,000.00 |
9.40% |
| 1985 |
22,209,230.00 |
9.40% |
