20 Largest Armies in the World


O army fight for defense the country in operations eminently on land and, at home, for the guarantee of law, order and constitutional powers.

Check out some free courses
  • Free Online Inclusive Education Course
  • Free Online Toy Library and Learning Course
  • Free Online Math Games Course in Early Childhood Education
  • Free Online Pedagogical Cultural Workshops Course

Fortunately, for security reasons, many world powers invest heavily in this area. The numbers of soldiers and the budget military yearly bring surprising numbers.

There is a list made by Global Firepower that lists the biggest armies in the world. Of course, no one will want to go to war with these countries. Want to see it?

China – 2,183,000 active soldiers

Reserve soldiers: 510.000
Population fit for service: 619.000.000
Annual military budget: $151,000,000,000 (BRL 557,495,000,000)
Rank among the most powerful armies: 3rd place

It is well known that China is the country with the largest population in the world, and so it is natural that the country has the

biggest army in the world. There, the military budget is high, as is the development of advanced weapons. Some say that over time, it is possible that China will even threaten the military base of Russia and the United States.

India – 1,362,500 active soldiers

Reserve soldiers: 2.844.750
Population fit for service: 489.600.000
Annual military budget: $47,000,000,000 (R$173,540,000,000)
Rank among the most powerful armies: 4th place

Despite the budget being minimal compared to others, India has a grandiose army that, with its high in nuclear weapons, keeps its powerful neighbors China, Russia and Pakistan at bay.

United States of America – 1,281,900 active soldiers

Reserve soldiers: 801.200
Population fit for service: 120.025.000
Annual military budget: $647,000,000.000 (R$2,386,983,000,000)
Rank among the most powerful armies: 1st place

Of course, the United States could not be left out of that list. Not only do the numbers draw attention, but so do their powerful and advanced weapons. Not to mention its powerful allied countries. Even with so much grandeur, the country has been threatened by Russia and China.

Russia – 1,013,628 active soldiers

Reserve soldiers: 2.572.500
Population fit for service: 47.000.000
Annual military budget: $47,000,000,000 (R$173,540,000,000)
Rank among the most powerful armies: 2nd place

We know that Russia's record comes with major wars, so its vast nuclear arsenal of unbeatable ground forces could not be left out of the list. The country is a real threat to its Eastern European neighbors.

North Korea – 945,000 active soldiers

Reserve soldiers: 5.500.000
Population fit for service: 10.100.000
Annual military budget: $7,500,000,000 (BRL 27,671,000,000)
Rank among the most powerful armies: 18th place

Despite being a considerably poor country, North Korea does not spare military budget, mainly due to conflicts with the United States and struggle with South Korea.

Pakistan – 637,000 active soldiers

Reserve soldiers: 282.000
Population fit for service: 75.325.000
Annual military budget: $7,000,000,000 (BRL 25,834,000,000)
Rank among the most powerful armies: 17th place

As the largest Islamic country in the world, Pakistan has developed its military capability while keeping India at bay. However, depending on the elected leaders, the country tends to link army and politics.

South Korea – 645,000 active soldiers

Reserve soldiers: 5.202.250
Population fit for service: 21.035.000
annual military budget: $40,000,000.000 (R$147,658,000,000)
Rank among the most powerful armies: 7th place

Given the rivalry between the two Koreas, it is clear that South Korea could not skimp on military matters.

Iran – 534,000 active soldiers

reserve soldiers: 400.000
Population fit for service: 39.570.000
Annual military budget: $6,300,000,000 (BRL 23,257,000,000)
Rank among the most powerful armies: 13th place

Iran's military strength makes even the United States worry. Iran's military service is supported by other groups in the countries around it.

Algeria – 520,000 active soldiers

Reserve soldiers: 272.250
Population fit for service: 17.250.000
Annual military budget: $10,570,000,000 (BRL 57,474,000,000)
Rank among the most powerful armies: 23rd place

As one of the largest buyers of Russian weapons in the world, Algeria invests heavily in this area for the purposes of protection, defense and freedom from terrorist groups. Despite this, the country has a policy of non-intervention in the struggles of other countries.

Egypt – 454,350 active soldiers

Reserve soldiers: 875.000
Population fit for service: 35.306.000
Annual military budget: $4,400,000,000 (BRL16,241,000,000)
Rank among the most powerful armies: 12th place

Egypt invests heavily in militarism due to internal and external violence to contend with and is therefore the most powerful military force in Africa.

Vietnam – 448,500 active soldiers

Reserve soldiers: 5.040.000
Population fit for service: 41.505.000
annual military budget: $3,365,000,000 (R$12,424,000,000)
Rank among the most powerful armies: 20th place

The Vietnam War was, without a doubt, one of the greatest military defeats in the United States. Since then, the country has been increasingly strengthening its army, guaranteeing its independence from the great superpowers.

Indonesia – 435,750 active soldiers

Reserve soldiers: 540.000
Population fit for service: 107.540.000
Annual military budget: $6,900,000,000 (BRL 25,479,000,000)
Rank among the most powerful armies: 15th place

It is considered one of the great military powers in Southeast Asia. Indonesia, in addition to protecting and defending its territory through militarism, defends and promotes good relations between the army and the civilian population, mainly composed of villagers.

Myanmar – 406,000 active soldiers

Reserve soldiers: 110.000
Population fit for service: 21.635.000
Annual military budget: $2,400,000,000 (BRL 8,863,000,000)
Rank among the most powerful armies: 35th place

Due to recent genocides against ethnic minorities, Myanmar is controlled by a very strong and powerful army.

Colombia

Reserve soldiers: 142.450
Population fit for service: 19.015.000
Annual military budget: $12,145,000,000 (R$44,851,000,000)
Rank among the most powerful armies: 45th place

Rebel groups are constantly trying to conquer Colombia, which is why their army (considered the largest in Latin America) fights, as well as internal conflicts.

Turkey – 350,000 active soldiers

Reserve soldiers: 360.565
Population fit for service: 35.010.000
Annual military budget: $10,200,000,000 (BRL 37,675,000,000)
Rank among the most powerful armies: 9th place

In the face of border wars and a refugee crisis, the Turkish army has internal divisions that further enhance its field performance.

Thailand – 335,425 active soldiers

Reserve soldiers: 292.000
Population fit for service: 27.500.000
Annual military budget: $5,390,000,000 (BRL19,909,000,000)
Rank among the most powerful armies: 27th place

As one of the largest military budgets in Southeast Asia, the Thai army is always prepared, as its neighbors are China and Vietnam.

Brazil – 334,500 active soldiers

Reserve soldiers: 1.652.500
Population fit for service: 84.000.000
Annual military budget: $29,300,000,000 (R$108,182,000,000)
Rank among the most powerful armies: 14th place

Brazil is not left out either! The country has the power to compete with the biggest in the world. The Brazilian armed forces act mainly in internal security and in some actions of the United Nations.

Mexico – 273,575 active soldiers

Reserve soldiers: 110.000
Population fit for service: 48.885.000
Annual military budget: 7,000,000,000 (BRL 25,845,000,000)
Rank among the most powerful armies: 32nd place

Due to the internal war with the drug lords, most of the army's resources are used, but that doesn't leave its grandeur aside.

Taiwan – 257,500 active soldiers

Reserve soldiers: 1.675.000
Population fit for service: 10.030.000
Annual military budget: $10,725,000,000 (R$39,601,000,000)
Rank among the most powerful armies: 24th place

Taiwan is fighting for its independence from the Chinese government, which is why the army works hard to defend quickly against attacks.

Italy – 247,500 active soldiers

Reserve soldiers: 20.000
Population fit for service: 22.600.000
Annual military budget: $37,700,000,000 (R$139,173,000,000)
Rank among the most powerful armies: 11th place

The Italian navy has already saved thousands of people from drowning in the Mediterranean Sea, not to mention that its participation in NATO, gives it even more security and military strength.

See too:

  • How much does an Army sergeant earn?
  • Women in Military Service: Here's How to Enlist!

The password has been sent to your email.

31 Biblical questions for scavenger hunt (with answers)

At scavenger huntscorrespond to a set of tasks that include disputes between groups. These activi...

read more

10 Best Netflix Motivational Movies!

Synopsis:Chris Gardner faces a difficult life. Evicted from his apartment, this single father and...

read more

The biggest box office each year (since 2000)

Ticket office: US$2,797,800,564Distributor: Walt Disney Studios Motion PicturesAvengers: The Ulti...

read more