Military strength is often measured by the number of active personnel, and several countries maintain enormous armies to protect their interests and project power. Below is a list of the top 10 largest armies in the world, including their active personnel numbers and links to their respective Wikipedia pages for further reading.
1. China – People’s Liberation Army (PLA)
- Active Personnel: 2,035,000
- Wikipedia: People’s Liberation Army
2. India – Indian Armed Forces
- Active Personnel: 1,450,000
- Wikipedia: Indian Armed Forces
3. United States – United States Armed Forces
- Active Personnel: 1,400,000
- Wikipedia: United States Armed Forces
4. North Korea – Korean People’s Army (KPA)
- Active Personnel: 1,280,000
- Wikipedia: Korean People’s Army
5. Russia – Russian Armed Forces
- Active Personnel: 1,014,000
- Wikipedia: Russian Armed Forces
6. Pakistan – Pakistan Armed Forces
- Active Personnel: 654,000
- Wikipedia: Pakistan Armed Forces
7. South Korea – Republic of Korea Armed Forces
- Active Personnel: 599,000
- Wikipedia: Republic of Korea Armed Forces
8. Iran – Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces
- Active Personnel: 525,000
- Wikipedia: Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces
9. Vietnam – People’s Army of Vietnam
- Active Personnel: 482,000
- Wikipedia: People’s Army of Vietnam
10. Egypt – Egyptian Armed Forces
- Active Personnel: 440,000
- Wikipedia: Egyptian Armed Forces
This list reflects the importance of military power on the global stage, highlighting the nations with the largest active military forces in the world. Each country’s military size is indicative of its strategic priorities and geopolitical challenges. For more in-depth information, follow the Wikipedia links provided above.
