France—Armed Forces (% of labor force)
Category: MilitarySource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #68 of 168Updated April 2026
Latest Value
1.0%
2020
YoY Change
+0.7%
2019 → 2020
Global Rank
#68
of 168 countries
Maximum
1.4%
2000
Minimum
1.0%
2019
CAGR
-1.7%
21 years
Last
1.0%
Previous
1.0%
Highest
1.4%
Lowest
1.0%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
France's armed forces (% of labor force) was 1.0% in 2020, ranking #68 out of 168 countries. This represents a +0.7% change from 2019. Over the past 21 years, the highest recorded value was 1.4% (2000) and the lowest was 1.0% (2019). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1.0% | +0.7% |
| 2019 | 1.0% | -0.1% |
| 2018 | 1.0% | -1.3% |
| 2017 | 1.0% | +0.1% |
| 2016 | 1.0% | -0.1% |
| 2015 | 1.0% | -2.1% |
| 2014 | 1.0% | -1.6% |
| 2013 | 1.1% | -2.9% |
| 2012 | 1.1% | -2.8% |
| 2011 | 1.1% | -3.0% |
| 2010 | 1.1% | -0.3% |
| 2009 | 1.2% | -3.9% |
| 2008 | 1.2% | -0.7% |
| 2007 | 1.2% | -1.2% |
| 2006 | 1.2% | -2.0% |
| 2005 | 1.2% | -0.8% |
| 2004 | 1.3% | -1.3% |
| 2003 | 1.3% | -2.3% |
| 2002 | 1.3% | -4.6% |
| 2001 | 1.4% | -4.3% |
| 2000 | 1.4% |
Top Countries — Armed Forces (% of labor force)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eritrea | 13.3% | 2020 |
| 2 | Korea, Dem. People's Rep. | 8.6% | 2020 |
| 3 | Syrian Arab Republic | 5.4% | 2020 |
| 4 | Djibouti | 5.4% | 2020 |
| 5 | Montenegro | 4.7% | 2020 |
| 6 | Iraq | 4.4% | 2020 |
| 7 | Israel | 4.2% | 2020 |
| 8 | Lebanon | 4.1% | 2020 |
| 9 | Lao PDR | 4.1% | 2020 |
| 10 | Jordan | 4.0% | 2020 |
About This Indicator
Definition
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. Labor force comprises all people who meet the International Labour Organization's definition of the economically active population.
Methodology
Data compiled by The Military Balance, International Institute for Strategic Studies.