United Kingdom: Armed forces

* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
 United Kingdom

Armed forces personnel

 Latest value 153,000
 Year 2020
 Measure people
 Data availability 1985 - 2020
 Average 207,942
 Min - Max 148,000 - 334,000
 Source International Institute for Strategic Studies
The latest value from 2020 is 153000 people, an increase from 149000 people in 2019. In comparison, the world average is 162240 people, based on data from 167 countries. Historically, the average for the United Kingdom from 1985 to 2020 is 207942 people. The minimum value, 148000 people, was reached in 2017 while the maximum of 334000 people was recorded in 1985. 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
United Kingdom - Armed forces - Recent values chart

Historical series
United Kingdom - 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 68.46 2022 billion U.S. dollars
 Military spending, percent of GDP 2.23 2022 percent
 Military spending, percent of government spending 5.29 2022 percent
 Armed forces 153,000 2020 people
 Armed forces, percent of labor force 0.44 2020 percent
 Arms exports 1,504.00 2022 million U.S. dollars
 Arms imports 799.00 2022 dollars
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