World's biggest military: Top 10 list by budget, active and reserve members (2024)

  • China has the largest military based on active personnel
  • Vietnam has the largest military based on active personnel and reserves
  • The United States has the largest military budget at 801 billion US dollars
  • The United States has the most powerful military in the world

In 2340 BC, Sargon of Akkad, also known as Sargon the Great, created the world’s first professional military, according to the Warfare History Network. Before Sargon modernized the army, Sumerian cities would function with a series of militias. One change Sargon made was incorporating a phalanx that was six men deep with the men in the first line carrying a rectangular shield.

Militaries expanded beyond what Sargon didand now exist all over the world. They’re used to defend their respective countries. Out of all the militaries in the world, which is the biggest?

World's biggest military: Top 10 list by budget, active and reserve members (1)

Who has the biggest military?

According to Statista, the largest military based on active personnel is China. China has 2 million active military personnel as of 2022.

The top 10 largest militaries based on active personnel:

  1. China - 2,000,000
  2. India - 1,450,000
  3. United States - 1,390,000
  4. North Korea - 1,200,000
  5. Russia - 850,000
  6. Pakistan - 640,000
  7. Iran - 575,000
  8. South Korea - 555,000
  9. Vietnam - 470,000
  10. Egypt - 450,000

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Despite having the largest active military, China does not have the largest military based on combined active personnel and reserves. According to the World Population Review, Vietnam has the largest active-duty and reserve military at 5,482,000 people.

The top 10 largest militaries based on active personnel and reserves:

  1. Vietnam - 5,482,000
  2. South Korea - 3,699,000
  3. China - 3,355,000
  4. Russian Federation - 3,014,000
  5. India - 2,610,550
  6. United States - 2,233,050
  7. North Korea - 1,880,000
  8. Taiwan - 1,820,000
  9. Brazil - 1,706,500
  10. Pakistan - 1,204,000

Who has the largest military budget?

According to Statista, the United States has the largest military budget sitting at 801 billion dollarsas of 2021.

The top 10 largest military budgets, in US dollars:

  1. United States - 801 billion
  2. China - 293 billion
  3. India - 76.6 billion
  4. United Kingdom - 68.4 billion
  5. Russia - 65.9 billion
  6. France - 56.6 billion
  7. Germany - 56 billion
  8. Saudi Arabia - 55.6 billion
  9. Japan - 54.1 billion
  10. South Korea - 50.2 billion

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Who has the most powerful military?

According to Statista, the most powerful military in the world is the United States military. Statista uses an index with50 different factors such as military might to budget to give each country a score.

The top eight most powerful militaries as of January 2022:

  1. United States
  2. Russia
  3. China
  4. India
  5. Japan
  6. South Korea
  7. France
  8. United Kingdom

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I'm an expert in military history and global military capabilities. My knowledge extends from ancient warfare, such as Sargon of Akkad's innovations in 2340 BC, to contemporary military statistics and rankings. Let me delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:

  1. China's Military Strength:

    • China boasts the largest military based on active personnel, with a substantial 2 million personnel as of 2022, according to Statista.
  2. Vietnam's Military Power:

    • Despite not having the largest active military, Vietnam holds the title for the largest military when combining active personnel and reserves. The World Population Review reports a total of 5,482,000 people in their active-duty and reserve military forces.
  3. United States Military Budget:

    • The United States leads in military spending with a colossal budget of 801 billion US dollars in 2021, as per Statista.
  4. Global Military Power:

    • The United States claims the title of having the most powerful military globally, as assessed by an index utilizing 50 different factors, including military strength and budget.
  5. Historical Military Innovation:

    • Sargon of Akkad, also known as Sargon the Great, revolutionized military organization in 2340 BC. One notable change was the introduction of a phalanx formation, six men deep, equipped with rectangular shields.
  6. Top Militaries Based on Active Personnel:

    • The top 10 militaries based on active personnel include China, India, the United States, North Korea, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, South Korea, Vietnam, and Egypt.
  7. Top Militaries Based on Active Personnel and Reserves:

    • Vietnam takes the lead when considering both active personnel and reserves, followed by South Korea, China, the Russian Federation, India, the United States, North Korea, Taiwan, Brazil, and Pakistan.
  8. Largest Military Budgets:

    • The top 10 military budgets, in US dollars, feature the United States, China, India, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and South Korea.
  9. Most Powerful Militaries (Top 8):

    • The most powerful militaries, according to Statista's index, include the United States, Russia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, France, and the United Kingdom.

This comprehensive overview showcases the current global military landscape, covering active personnel, reserves, budgets, and overall military power. If you have any specific questions or need further details on a particular aspect, feel free to ask.

World's biggest military: Top 10 list by budget, active and reserve members (2024)

FAQs

Who has the largest active and reserve army in the world? ›

China currently maintains the largest army in the world, commanded by a single country, with 2.18 active military personnel. India, the United States, and Russia each maintain 1.45 million, 1.33 million, and 1.32 million active military personnel, respectively.

Who has the most active military members? ›

As of January 2024, China had the largest armed forces in the world by active duty military personnel, with about 2 million active soldiers. India, the United States, North Korea, and Russia rounded out the top five largest armies.

What is the biggest military in the world? ›

It is noteworthy that the world's three most populous countries also have the three largest standing armies, and in the same order. China's massive force is the largest, followed by India and the United States.

How large is the US military active and reserve? ›

The US military's strength of 2.86 million troops is slightly greater than the population of Chicago, Illinois, the country's third-largest city. Of those military members, the Department of Defense (DoD) listed nearly 1.29 million people as active-duty troops, and 767,238 as national guard/reserves.

Who has the strongest military in the world 2024? ›

The United States

'The United States' has the most powerful army in the world. If we talk about power, in 2024 the US have 104 million soldiers. According to the data, the US government spent US$693 billion on its military in 2023.

Who has the strongest military right now? ›

Holding the top position, the United States commands the most potent military force globally. According to Global Firepower, with a Power Index of 0.0712, it demonstrates unparalleled capabilities in defence technologies and armed forces.

Who has a bigger military than the US? ›

In terms of land power, Russia possesses 4,150 infantry fighting vehicles, 1,800 main battle tanks, and 4,458 artillery. The United States possesses 2,959 infantry fighting vehicles, 2,645 military ranks, and 5,096 artillery.

Who is the highest ranked person in the military right now? ›

General Charles Q. Brown, Jr. is the 21st Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation's highest-ranking military officer, and the principal military advisor to the President, Secretary of Defense, and National Security Council.

Which country has the best defence system in the world? ›

The United States stands first among the top 10 militaries in the world. This dominant position is attributed to the country's commanding presence in crucial material, financial, and resource categories.

What is the most powerful nation in the world? ›

The United States remains the world's most powerful nation, according to the 2024 US News Power Rankings. However, China continues its ascent, securing the second spot driven by its technological advancements and economic clout.

Who has the smallest army in the world? ›

The smallest army by size is the [ Vatican City Corps of Gendarmerie ] of Vatican City, which has only 130 active paramilitary personnel and no reserve or active military personnel, for a total of 130 members. These numbers may vary depending on the source and the definition of military personnel.

Which country has most respected army in the world? ›

The world's most powerful military is that of the United States, followed by Russia and China in second and third place, respectively, Global Firepower, a website that keeps track of global defence information revealed. The rankings asses 145 countries and uses various factors to judge the best military.

Who is the highest ranking Army Reserve? ›

  • Lt. Gen. Jody J. Daniels. Chief of Army Reserve and Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve Command.
  • Command Sergeant Major Gregory Betty. Command Sergeant Major of the Army Reserve.
  • Chief Warrant Officer 5 LaShon P. White. Command Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Army Reserve Command.

What is the most deployed Army Reserve unit? ›

360TH CIVIL AFFAIRS BRIGADE (AIRBORNE)

The coveted airborne designation was awarded in 1992. The 360th is the most deployed U.S. Army Reserve unit, deploying Soldiers attached to Special Forces and other Special Operations Forces units as the “tip of the spear” on all major operations.

How big is the US military compared to China? ›

China wields by far the world's largest military, with 2.8 million soldiers, sailors and airmen—twice the American number. (The United States is number two; the only other countries with more than a million active duty troops are China's neighbors—Russia, India and North Korea.)

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