South Africa: Armed forces

* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
 South Africa

Armed forces personnel

 Latest value 89,000
 Year 2020
 Measure people
 Data availability 1985 - 2020
 Average 97,466
 Min - Max 55,000 - 277,900
 Source International Institute for Strategic Studies
The latest value from 2020 is 89000 people, a decline from 90000 people in 2019. In comparison, the world average is 162240 people, based on data from 167 countries. Historically, the average for South Africa from 1985 to 2020 is 97466 people. The minimum value, 55000 people, was reached in 2004 while the maximum of 277900 people was recorded in 1996. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.
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* indicates monthly or quarterly data series


Recent data
South Africa - Armed forces - Recent values chart

Historical series
South Africa - Armed forces - historical chart - 1985-2020




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 3.00 2022 billion U.S. dollars
 Military spending, percent of GDP 0.74 2022 percent
 Military spending, percent of government spending 2.25 2022 percent
 Armed forces 89,000 2020 people
 Armed forces, percent of labor force 0.39 2020 percent
 Arms exports 48.00 2022 million U.S. dollars
 Arms imports 30.00 2022 dollars
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