Sri Lanka—Armed Forces Personnel
Category: MilitarySource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #22 of 170Updated April 2026
Latest Value
317,000
2020
YoY Change
+0.0%
2019 → 2020
Global Rank
#22
of 170 countries
Maximum
317,000
2017
Minimum
200,000
2005
CAGR
+2.2%
21 years
Last
317,000
Previous
317,000
Highest
317,000
Lowest
200,000
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Sri Lanka's armed forces personnel was 317,000 in 2020, ranking #22 out of 170 countries. This represents a +0.0% change from 2019. Over the past 21 years, the highest recorded value was 317,000 (2017) and the lowest was 200,000 (2005). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 317,000 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 317,000 | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 317,000 | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 317,000 | +3.9% |
| 2016 | 305,200 | +15.1% |
| 2015 | 265,200 | +18.9% |
| 2014 | 223,100 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 223,100 | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 223,100 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 223,100 | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 223,100 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 223,100 | +4.7% |
| 2008 | 213,000 | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 213,000 | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 213,000 | +6.5% |
| 2005 | 200,000 | -16.3% |
| 2004 | 239,000 | -0.8% |
| 2003 | 240,900 | -2.3% |
| 2002 | 246,500 | +17.6% |
| 2001 | 209,600 | +2.9% |
| 2000 | 203,600 |
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 |