Malawi: Armed forces

* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
 Malawi

Armed forces personnel

 Latest value 15,000
 Year 2020
 Measure people
 Data availability 1985 - 2020
 Average 8,339
 Min - Max 5,300 - 15,000
 Source International Institute for Strategic Studies
 Available for Data download
The latest value from 2020 is 15000 people, unchanged from 15000 people in 2019. In comparison, the world average is 162240 people, based on data from 167 countries. Historically, the average for Malawi from 1985 to 2020 is 8339 people. The minimum value, 5300 people, was reached in 1985 while the maximum of 15000 people was recorded in 2017. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.
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 Recent values Malawi: Armed forces
 2020 15,000
 2019 15,000
 2018 14,700
 2017 15,000
 2016 14,900
 2015 6,800
 2014 6,800
 2013 6,800




Definition: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces.

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 Related indicators Latest Reference Measure
 Military spending 0.12 2024 billion U.S. dollars
 Military spending, percent of GDP 1.02 2024 percent
 Military spending, percent of government spending 3.50 2024 percent
 Armed forces 15,000 2020 people
 Armed forces, percent of labor force 0.20 2020 percent
 Arms exports 1.00 2000 million U.S. dollars
 Arms imports 19.00 2022 dollars
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