South Korea: Armed forces

* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
 South Korea

Armed forces personnel

 Latest value 569,000
 Year 2020
 Measure people
 Data availability 1985 - 2020
 Average 669,000
 Min - Max 569,000 - 750,000
 Source International Institute for Strategic Studies
The latest value from 2020 is 569000 people, a decline from 613000 people in 2019. In comparison, the world average is 162240 people, based on data from 167 countries. Historically, the average for South Korea from 1985 to 2020 is 669000 people. The minimum value, 569000 people, was reached in 2020 while the maximum of 750000 people was recorded in 1991. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.
Select indicator
* indicates monthly or quarterly data series


Recent data
South Korea - Armed forces - Recent values chart

Historical series
South Korea - 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.

Selected articles from our guide:

What factors determine the exchange rates

International lending and sovereign debt

All articles



 Related indicators Latest Reference Measure
 Military spending 46.37 2022 billion U.S. dollars
 Military spending, percent of GDP 2.72 2022 percent
 Military spending, percent of government spending 10.57 2022 percent
 Armed forces 569,000 2020 people
 Armed forces, percent of labor force 1.99 2020 percent
 Arms exports 209.00 2022 million U.S. dollars
 Arms imports 408.00 2022 dollars
This site uses cookies.
Learn more here


OK