Germany—Armed Forces Personnel
Category: MilitarySource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #35 of 170Updated April 2026
Latest Value
183,000
2020
YoY Change
-0.5%
2019 → 2020
Global Rank
#35
of 170 countries
Maximum
308,400
2001
Minimum
177,300
2015
CAGR
-0.9%
21 years
Last
183,000
Previous
184,000
Highest
308,400
Lowest
177,300
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Germany's armed forces personnel was 183,000 in 2020, ranking #35 out of 170 countries. This represents a -0.5% change from 2019. Over the past 21 years, the highest recorded value was 308,400 (2001) and the lowest was 177,300 (2015). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 183,000 | -0.5% |
| 2019 | 184,000 | +1.4% |
| 2018 | 181,400 | +0.8% |
| 2017 | 180,000 | +0.5% |
| 2016 | 179,100 | +1.0% |
| 2015 | 177,300 | -0.7% |
| 2014 | 178,600 | -1.6% |
| 2013 | 181,550 | -2.6% |
| 2012 | 186,450 | -4.9% |
| 2011 | 196,000 | -22.1% |
| 2010 | 251,465 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 251,465 | +3.1% |
| 2008 | 244,000 | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 244,000 | -0.8% |
| 2006 | 246,000 | -13.7% |
| 2005 | 285,000 | +0.4% |
| 2004 | 284,000 | -0.2% |
| 2003 | 284,500 | -3.9% |
| 2002 | 296,000 | -4.0% |
| 2001 | 308,400 | +39.5% |
| 2000 | 221,100 |
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 |