China—Armed Forces Personnel
Category: MilitarySource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #2 of 170Updated April 2026
Latest Value
2.5M
2020
YoY Change
+0.0%
2019 → 2020
Global Rank
#2
of 170 countries
Maximum
3.9M
2000
Minimum
2.5M
2019
CAGR
-2.1%
21 years
Last
2.5M
Previous
2.5M
Highest
3.9M
Lowest
2.5M
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
China's armed forces personnel was 2.5M in 2020, ranking #2 out of 170 countries. This represents a +0.0% change from 2019. Over the past 21 years, the highest recorded value was 3.9M (2000) and the lowest was 2.5M (2019). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2.5M | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 2.5M | -5.9% |
| 2018 | 2.7M | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 2.7M | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 2.7M | -5.2% |
| 2015 | 2.8M | -5.0% |
| 2014 | 3.0M | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 3.0M | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 3.0M | +1.6% |
| 2011 | 2.9M | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 2.9M | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 2.9M | +2.1% |
| 2008 | 2.9M | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 2.9M | -20.0% |
| 2006 | 3.6M | -4.0% |
| 2005 | 3.8M | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 3.8M | +0.1% |
| 2003 | 3.8M | -0.5% |
| 2002 | 3.8M | -1.0% |
| 2001 | 3.8M | -2.6% |
| 2000 | 3.9M |
Top Countries — Armed Forces Personnel
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 3.1M | 2020 |
| 2 | China | 2.5M | 2020 |
| 3 | Korea, Dem. People's Rep. | 1.5M | 2020 |
| 4 | Russian Federation | 1.5M | 2020 |
| 5 | United States | 1.4M | 2020 |
| 6 | Pakistan | 943,000 | 2020 |
| 7 | Egypt, Arab Rep. | 836,000 | 2020 |
| 8 | Brazil | 762,000 | 2020 |
| 9 | Indonesia | 676,000 | 2020 |
| 10 | Iran, Islamic Rep. | 650,000 | 2020 |