Special Report
The Countries With the Largest Active-Duty Militaries
May 5, 2023 12:51 pm
Source: pabst_ell / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
15. Brazil
> Active-duty personnel: 360,000
> Reserves personnel: 1.34 million
> PowerIndex (military strength): 0.2151 (#12 most powerful out of 145)
> No. of military aircraft: 665 (1.25% of the world military aircraft)
> Population, 2023: 218.7 million (#7 largest out of 237 countries)
> Military expenditure, 2022: $20.2 billion (0.90% of world military expenditures)
Source: dalomo84 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
14. Colombia
> Active-duty personnel: 360,000
> Reserves personnel: 845,000
> PowerIndex (military strength): 0.7011 (#43 most powerful out of 145)
> No. of military aircraft: 465 (0.87% of the world military aircraft)
> Population, 2023: 49.3 million (#29 largest out of 237 countries)
> Military expenditure, 2022: $9.9 billion (0.44% of world military expenditures)
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Lauren DeCicca / Getty Images
13. Burma
> Active-duty personnel: 400,000
> Reserves personnel: N/A
> PowerIndex (military strength): 0.5768 (#38 most powerful out of 145)
> No. of military aircraft: 280 (0.53% of the world military aircraft)
> Population, 2023: 58.0 million (#26 largest out of 237 countries)
> Military expenditure, 2022: $1.9 billion (0.08% of world military expenditures)
Source: Yamtono_Sardi / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
12. Indonesia
> Active-duty personnel: 400,000
> Reserves personnel: 400,000
> PowerIndex (military strength): 0.2221 (#13 most powerful out of 145)
> No. of military aircraft: 466 (0.87% of the world military aircraft)
> Population, 2023: 279.5 million (#4 largest out of 237 countries)
> Military expenditure, 2022: $9.0 billion (0.40% of world military expenditures)
Source: IC / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
11. Turkey
> Active-duty personnel: 425,000
> Reserves personnel: 200,000
> PowerIndex (military strength): 0.2016 (#11 most powerful out of 145)
> No. of military aircraft: 1,065 (2.00% of the world military aircraft)
> Population, 2023: 83.6 million (#19 largest out of 237 countries)
> Military expenditure, 2022: $10.6 billion (0.48% of world military expenditures)
Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor
Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Editors' Picks
