Iran, Islamic Rep.—Armed Forces Personnel
Category: MilitarySource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #10 of 170Updated April 2026
Latest Value
650,000
2020
YoY Change
+0.0%
2019 → 2020
Global Rank
#10
of 170 countries
Maximum
753,000
2000
Minimum
460,000
2004
CAGR
-0.7%
21 years
Last
650,000
Previous
650,000
Highest
753,000
Lowest
460,000
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Iran, Islamic Rep.'s armed forces personnel was 650,000 in 2020, ranking #10 out of 170 countries. This represents a +0.0% change from 2019. Over the past 21 years, the highest recorded value was 753,000 (2000) and the lowest was 460,000 (2004). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 650,000 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 650,000 | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 650,000 | +15.5% |
| 2017 | 563,000 | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 563,000 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 563,000 | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 563,000 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 563,000 | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 563,000 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 563,000 | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 563,000 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 563,000 | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 563,000 | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 563,000 | -3.8% |
| 2006 | 585,000 | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 585,000 | +27.2% |
| 2004 | 460,000 | -20.7% |
| 2003 | 580,000 | +3.6% |
| 2002 | 560,000 | +1.3% |
| 2001 | 553,000 | -26.6% |
| 2000 | 753,000 |
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 |