United Kingdom—Armed Forces Personnel
Category: MilitarySource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #41 of 170Updated April 2026
Latest Value
153,000
2020
YoY Change
+2.7%
2019 → 2020
Global Rank
#41
of 170 countries
Maximum
217,000
2005
Minimum
148,000
2017
CAGR
-1.6%
21 years
Last
153,000
Previous
149,000
Highest
217,000
Lowest
148,000
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
United Kingdom's armed forces personnel was 153,000 in 2020, ranking #41 out of 170 countries. This represents a +2.7% change from 2019. Over the past 21 years, the highest recorded value was 217,000 (2005) and the lowest was 148,000 (2017). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 153,000 | +2.7% |
| 2019 | 149,000 | +0.4% |
| 2018 | 148,450 | +0.3% |
| 2017 | 148,000 | -1.5% |
| 2016 | 150,250 | -1.4% |
| 2015 | 152,350 | -1.5% |
| 2014 | 154,700 | -2.8% |
| 2013 | 159,150 | -5.9% |
| 2012 | 169,150 | +2.1% |
| 2011 | 165,650 | -4.8% |
| 2010 | 174,020 | -2.5% |
| 2009 | 178,470 | +11.5% |
| 2008 | 160,000 | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 160,000 | -11.6% |
| 2006 | 181,000 | -16.6% |
| 2005 | 217,000 | +5.9% |
| 2004 | 205,000 | -3.6% |
| 2003 | 212,600 | +1.0% |
| 2002 | 210,400 | -0.5% |
| 2001 | 211,400 | -0.5% |
| 2000 | 212,500 |
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 |