Here is a list of the 15 global militaries with the most active-duty personnel – the “ready to fight” units that would be the first to see combat. Take a look.
1. China — 2,183,000 active personnel
Total population: 1,379,302,771
Manpower available: 750,000,000
Total military personnel: 2,693,000
Active personnel: 2,183,000
Reserve personnel: 510,000
Fit-for-service: 619,000,000
Reaching military age: 19,550,000
Overall military rank: No. 3
2. India — 1,362,500 active personnel
Total population: 1,281,935,911
Manpower available: 616,000,000
Total military personnel: 4,207,250
Active personnel: 1,362,500
Reserve personnel: 2,844,750
Fit-for-service: 489,600,000
Reaching military age: 22,900,000
Overall military rank: No. 4
3. United States — 1,281,900 active personnel
Total population: 326,625,791
Manpower available: 145,215,000
Total military personnel: 2,083,100
Active personnel: 1,281,900
Reserve personnel: 801,200
Fit-for-service: 120,025,000
Reaching military age: 4,220,000
Overall military rank: No. 1
4. Russia — 1,013,628 active personnel
Total population: 142,257,519
Manpower available: 70,000,000
Total military personnel: 3,586,128
Active personnel: 1,013,628
Reserve personnel: 2,572,500
Fit-for-service: 47,000,000
Reaching military age: 1,355,000
Overall military rank: No. 2
5. North Korea — 945,000 active personnel
Total population: 25,248,140
Manpower available: 13,000,000
Total military personnel: 6,445,000
Active personnel: 945,000
Reserve personnel: 5,500,000
Fit-for-service: 10,100,000
Reaching military age: 415,000
Overall military rank: No. 18
6. Pakistan — 637,000 active personnel
Total population: 204,924,861
Manpower available: 95,000,000
Total military personnel: 919,000
Active personnel: 637,000
Reserve personnel: 282,000
Fit-for-service: 75,325,000
Reaching military age: 4,345,000
Overall military rank: No. 17
7. South Korea — 625,000 active personnel
Total population: 51,181,299
Manpower available: 25,610,000
Total military personnel: 5,827,250
Active personnel: 625,000
Reserve personnel: 5,202,250
Fit-for-service: 21,035,000
Reaching military age: 690,000
Overall military rank: No. 7
8. Iran — 534,000 active personnel
Total population: 82,021,564
Manpower available: 47,000,000
Total military personnel: 934,000
Active personnel: 534,000
Reserve personnel: 400,000
Fit-for-service: 39,570,000
Reaching military age: 1,400,000
Overall military rank: No. 13
9. Algeria — 520,000 active personnel
Total population: 40,969,443
Manpower available: 20,400,000
Total military personnel: 792,350
Active personnel: 520,000
Reserve personnel: 272,350
Fit-for-service: 17,250,000
Reaching military age: 675,000
Overall military rank: No. 23
10. Egypt — 454,250 active personnel
Total population: 97,041,072
Manpower available: 42,000,000
Total military personnel: 1,329,250
Active personnel: 454,250
Reserve personnel: 875,000
Fit-for-service: 35,306,000
Reaching military age: 1,535,000
Overall military rank: No. 12
11. Vietnam — 448,500 active personnel
Total population: 96,160,163
Manpower available: 50,650,000
Total military personnel: 5,488,500
Active personnel: 448,500
Reserve personnel: 5,040,000
Fit-for-service: 41,505,000
Reaching military age: 1,640,000
Overall military rank: No. 20
12. Indonesia — 435,750 active personnel
Total population: 260,580,739
Manpower available: 130,000,000
Total military personnel: 975,750
Active personnel: 435,750
Reserve personnel: 540,000
Fit-for-service: 107,540,000
Reaching military age: 4,500,000
Overall military rank: No.15
13. Myanmar — 406,000 active personnel
Total population: 55,123,814
Manpower available: 30,000,000
Total military personnel: 516,000
Active personnel: 406,000
Reserve personnel: 110,000
Fit-for-service: 21,635,000
Reaching military age: 1,030,000
Overall military rank: No. 35
14. Colombia — 369,100 active personnel
Total population: 47,698,524
Manpower available: 24,000,000
Total military personnel: 511,550
Active personnel: 369,100
Reserve personnel: 142,450
Fit-for-service: 19,015,000
Reaching military age: 845,000
Overall military rank: No. 45
15. Turkey — 350,000 active personnel
Total population: 80,845,215
Manpower available: 41,640,000
Total military personnel: 710,565
Active personnel: 350,000
Reserve personnel: 360,565
Fit-for-service: 35,010,000
Reaching military age: 1,375,000
Overall military rank: No. 9
The world needs to press hard to reduce spending on military, arms, and ammunition for a more peaceful world.
