World's biggest military: Top 10 list by budget, active and reserve members (2024)

  • China has the largest military based on active personnel
  • Vietnam has the largest military based on active personnel and reserves
  • The United States has the largest military budget at 801 billion US dollars
  • The United States has the most powerful military in the world

In 2340 BC, Sargon of Akkad, also known as Sargon the Great, created the world’s first professional military, according to the Warfare History Network. Before Sargon modernized the army, Sumerian cities would function with a series of militias. One change Sargon made was incorporating a phalanx that was six men deep with the men in the first line carrying a rectangular shield.

Militaries expanded beyond what Sargon didand now exist all over the world. They’re used to defend their respective countries. Out of all the militaries in the world, which is the biggest?

World's biggest military: Top 10 list by budget, active and reserve members (1)

Who has the biggest military?

According to Statista, the largest military based on active personnel is China. China has 2 million active military personnel as of 2022.

The top 10 largest militaries based on active personnel:

  1. China - 2,000,000
  2. India - 1,450,000
  3. United States - 1,390,000
  4. North Korea - 1,200,000
  5. Russia - 850,000
  6. Pakistan - 640,000
  7. Iran - 575,000
  8. South Korea - 555,000
  9. Vietnam - 470,000
  10. Egypt - 450,000

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Despite having the largest active military, China does not have the largest military based on combined active personnel and reserves. According to the World Population Review, Vietnam has the largest active-duty and reserve military at 5,482,000 people.

The top 10 largest militaries based on active personnel and reserves:

  1. Vietnam - 5,482,000
  2. South Korea - 3,699,000
  3. China - 3,355,000
  4. Russian Federation - 3,014,000
  5. India - 2,610,550
  6. United States - 2,233,050
  7. North Korea - 1,880,000
  8. Taiwan - 1,820,000
  9. Brazil - 1,706,500
  10. Pakistan - 1,204,000

Who has the largest military budget?

According to Statista, the United States has the largest military budget sitting at 801 billion dollarsas of 2021.

The top 10 largest military budgets, in US dollars:

  1. United States - 801 billion
  2. China - 293 billion
  3. India - 76.6 billion
  4. United Kingdom - 68.4 billion
  5. Russia - 65.9 billion
  6. France - 56.6 billion
  7. Germany - 56 billion
  8. Saudi Arabia - 55.6 billion
  9. Japan - 54.1 billion
  10. South Korea - 50.2 billion

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Who has the most powerful military?

According to Statista, the most powerful military in the world is the United States military. Statista uses an index with50 different factors such as military might to budget to give each country a score.

The top eight most powerful militaries as of January 2022:

  1. United States
  2. Russia
  3. China
  4. India
  5. Japan
  6. South Korea
  7. France
  8. United Kingdom

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World's biggest military: Top 10 list by budget, active and reserve members (2024)

FAQs

Who has the largest active and reserve army in the world? ›

China currently maintains the largest army in the world, commanded by a single country, with 2.18 active military personnel. India, the United States, and Russia each maintain 1.45 million, 1.33 million, and 1.32 million active military personnel, respectively.

Who has the most active military members? ›

As of January 2024, China had the largest armed forces in the world by active duty military personnel, with about 2 million active soldiers. India, the United States, North Korea, and Russia rounded out the top five largest armies.

What is the top 10 strongest army? ›

RankRank & NationTotal Military Personnel (est)
1United States2,127,500
2Russia3,570,000
3China3,170,000
4India5,137,550
6 more rows
Mar 4, 2024

Who has the largest military power in the world? ›

List of Top 10 Strongest Militaries of the World 2024
RankCountryPower Index (PwrIndx)
1United States0.0712
2Russia0.0714
3China0.0722
4India0.1025
6 more rows
Apr 19, 2024

Who has the most reserve soldiers? ›

15 Countries with the Most Reserve Military Manpower in the World
  • Pakistan. ...
  • North Korea. ...
  • Tajikistan. ...
  • United States of America. ...
  • Finland. ...
  • United Kingdom. Total reserve military manpower: 924,000. ...
  • India. Total reserve military manpower: 1,155,000. ...
  • Ukraine. Total reserve military manpower: 1,200,000.
Feb 10, 2024

How large is the US military active and reserve? ›

The US military's strength of 2.86 million troops is slightly greater than the population of Chicago, Illinois, the country's third-largest city. Of those military members, the Department of Defense (DoD) listed nearly 1.29 million people as active-duty troops, and 767,238 as national guard/reserves.

Who has #1 Army? ›

The United States of America is a North American nation that is the world's most dominant economic and military power. Likewise, its cultural imprint spans the world, led in large part by its popular culture expressed in music, movies and television.

What state has the strongest military? ›

State totals on active duty, reserve forces and civilian employees for each branch of the military.
  • California: 184,540.
  • Texas: 164,234.
  • Virginia: 115,280.
  • North Carolina: 112,951.
  • Florida: 92,249.
  • Georgia: 88,089.
  • Washington: 64,066.
  • South Carolina: 55,369.

Who is the top 5 strongest army? ›

Global Firepower Rankings 2024: Top 10 nations with most powerful militaries, where does India rank?
  • 1/10. United States ranks first. ...
  • 2/10. Russian Federation stands second. ...
  • 3/10. People's Republic of China on third position. ...
  • 4/10. India at fourth. ...
  • 5/10. South Korea ranks fifth. ...
  • 6/10. Sixth position for United Kingdom. ...
  • 7/10. ...
  • 8/10.
Feb 6, 2024

Who has the most powerful military in the world in 2024? ›

Top 10 powerful countries in 2024
Rank & NationPower IndexTotal Military Personnel (est)
#1 United States0.06992,127,500
#2 Russia0.07023,570,000
#3 China0.07063,170,000
#4 India0.10235,137,550
6 more rows
Jan 17, 2024

What country has the most technologically advanced military? ›

The country with the most advanced military technology is the United States of America (USA).

Who has the biggest military budget? ›

The United States has the highest military spending of any nation. Its military spending includes all of the Department of Defense's regular activities, war spending, the nuclear weapon program, international military assistance, and other Pentagon-related spending.

Who has the best airforce in the world? ›

The United States Air Force (USAF) maintains its top position in the world with an outstanding margin. As of 2021, the USAF possesses a massive fleet of 5,217 active aircraft, Making it the largest, most technologically advanced, and most powerful air force globally.

Who has the best special forces in the world? ›

Determining the “most dangerous” special force is subjective, as each unit specializes in unique capabilities. However, some renowned units, such as the Russian Alpha Group and the US Navy SEALs, are often considered among the most elite.

Why does Vietnam have so many reserves? ›

Why does Vietnam maintain so many soldiers up to 5.5 million in active and reserve? It is historic, cheap and secure. It is historic. All ex-military service personnel have became reserved, from the age of 20 to 55.

What is the largest military base in the world? ›

Having a force this large requires a lot of real estate, and the U.S. has some of the largest military bases in the entire world. This includes: Fort Bragg – Covering over 250 square miles of North Carolina, Fort Bragg is not only the largest base for the U.S. Army, it's the largest military base in the entire world.

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