Malawi—Armed Forces Personnel
Category: MilitarySource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #118 of 170Updated May 2026
Latest Value
15,000
2020
YoY Change
+0.0%
2019 → 2020
Global Rank
#118
of 170 countries
Maximum
15,000
2017
Minimum
5,300
2009
CAGR
+4.7%
21 years
Last
15,000
Previous
15,000
Highest
15,000
Lowest
5,300
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Malawi's armed forces personnel was 15,000 in 2020, ranking #118 out of 170 countries. This represents a +0.0% change from 2019. Over the past 21 years, the highest recorded value was 15,000 (2017) and the lowest was 5,300 (2009). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 15,000 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 15,000 | +2.0% |
| 2018 | 14,700 | -2.0% |
| 2017 | 15,000 | +0.7% |
| 2016 | 14,900 | +119.1% |
| 2015 | 6,800 | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 6,800 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 6,800 | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 6,800 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 6,800 | +28.3% |
| 2010 | 5,300 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 5,300 | -24.3% |
| 2008 | 7,000 | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 7,000 | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 7,000 | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 7,000 | +16.7% |
| 2004 | 6,000 | -11.8% |
| 2003 | 6,800 | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 6,800 | +0.0% |
| 2001 | 6,800 | +13.3% |
| 2000 | 6,000 |
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 |