Nigeria—Armed Forces Personnel
Category: MilitarySource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #30 of 170Updated April 2026
Latest Value
223,000
2020
YoY Change
+0.0%
2019 → 2020
Global Rank
#30
of 170 countries
Maximum
223,000
2018
Minimum
106,500
2000
CAGR
+3.8%
21 years
Last
223,000
Previous
223,000
Highest
223,000
Lowest
106,500
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Nigeria's armed forces personnel was 223,000 in 2020, ranking #30 out of 170 countries. This represents a +0.0% change from 2019. Over the past 21 years, the highest recorded value was 223,000 (2018) and the lowest was 106,500 (2000). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 223,000 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 223,000 | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 223,000 | +3.7% |
| 2017 | 215,000 | +7.5% |
| 2016 | 200,000 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 200,000 | +23.5% |
| 2014 | 162,000 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 162,000 | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 162,000 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 162,000 | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 162,000 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 162,000 | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 162,000 | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 162,000 | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 162,000 | +0.6% |
| 2005 | 161,000 | +0.6% |
| 2004 | 160,000 | -0.3% |
| 2003 | 160,500 | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 160,500 | +0.0% |
| 2001 | 160,500 | +50.7% |
| 2000 | 106,500 |
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 |