Currently, what are the fifteen largest armies in the world? (Strictly by numbers)

sully2106,

Thank you for your question.  According to a 1997 report, the top 20
Armed Forces in the world (and their sizes) are:

1) China-Mainland 2.6 Million
2) United States 1.5 Million
3) Russia 1.3 Million
4) India 1.265 Million
5) North Korea  1.1 Million
6) Turkey 820 Thousand
7) South Korea 670 Thousand
8) Vietnam 650 Thousand
9) Pakistan 610 Thousand
10) Iran 570 Thousand
11) France 475 Thousand
12) Ukraine 450 Thousand
13) Egypt 430 Thousand
14) Italy 419 Thousand
15) Taiwan 400 Thousand
16) Iraq 400 Thousand
17) Germany 330 Thousand
18) Bruma N/A
19) Syria 320 Thousand
20) Brazil 296 Thousand
Reference:
United States Department of State World Military Expenditures and Arms
Transfers
Country Rankings
http://www.state.gov/www/global/arms/bureau_ac/wmeat98/rankings.pdf
NOTE: Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader

This report ranks 167 countries' military forces in a wide number of
categories if you are interested in learning more.  Information on the
entire report can be found at
http://www.state.gov/www/global/arms/bureau_ac/wmeat98/wmeat98.html

To learn what branches make up respective country military forces,
visit the CIA World Factbook, Field Listing-Military Branches, at
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/fields/2055.html

Thank you for your question and if you need any additional
clarification, please let me know.

Regards,

-THV

Search Strategy:
World Military Statistics