South Africa—Armed Forces Personnel
Category: MilitarySource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #54 of 170Updated April 2026
Latest Value
89,000
2020
YoY Change
-1.1%
2019 → 2020
Global Rank
#54
of 170 countries
Maximum
103,000
2006
Minimum
55,000
2004
CAGR
+1.1%
21 years
Last
89,000
Previous
90,000
Highest
103,000
Lowest
55,000
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
South Africa's armed forces personnel was 89,000 in 2020, ranking #54 out of 170 countries. This represents a -1.1% change from 2019. Over the past 21 years, the highest recorded value was 103,000 (2006) and the lowest was 55,000 (2004). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 89,000 | -1.1% |
| 2019 | 90,000 | +0.4% |
| 2018 | 89,650 | +12.1% |
| 2017 | 80,000 | -1.7% |
| 2016 | 81,400 | -0.9% |
| 2015 | 82,150 | -0.1% |
| 2014 | 82,250 | +6.6% |
| 2013 | 77,150 | +24.2% |
| 2012 | 62,100 | -20.0% |
| 2011 | 77,582 | +0.6% |
| 2010 | 77,153 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 77,153 | +24.4% |
| 2008 | 62,000 | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 62,000 | -39.8% |
| 2006 | 103,000 | +83.9% |
| 2005 | 56,000 | +1.8% |
| 2004 | 55,000 | -1.3% |
| 2003 | 55,700 | -7.2% |
| 2002 | 60,000 | -10.4% |
| 2001 | 67,000 | -6.4% |
| 2000 | 71,600 |
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 |