Saudi Arabia—Armed Forces Personnel
Category: MilitarySource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #25 of 170Updated April 2026
Latest Value
282,000
2020
YoY Change
+11.9%
2019 → 2020
Global Rank
#25
of 170 countries
Maximum
282,000
2020
Minimum
214,000
2004
CAGR
+1.3%
21 years
Last
282,000
Previous
252,000
Highest
282,000
Lowest
214,000
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Saudi Arabia's armed forces personnel was 282,000 in 2020, ranking #25 out of 170 countries. This represents a +11.9% change from 2019. Over the past 21 years, the highest recorded value was 282,000 (2020) and the lowest was 214,000 (2004). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 282,000 | +11.9% |
| 2019 | 252,000 | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 252,000 | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 252,000 | +0.2% |
| 2016 | 251,500 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 251,500 | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 251,500 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 251,500 | +1.0% |
| 2012 | 249,000 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 249,000 | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 249,000 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 249,000 | +4.6% |
| 2008 | 238,000 | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 238,000 | -0.8% |
| 2006 | 240,000 | +11.1% |
| 2005 | 216,000 | +0.9% |
| 2004 | 214,000 | -0.5% |
| 2003 | 215,000 | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 215,000 | -1.0% |
| 2001 | 217,200 | +0.1% |
| 2000 | 217,000 |
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 |