Armed forces personnel in the United Kingdom in 2020 — 153,000 people. Ranked 41 in the world out of 170. Since 1985, the indicator has fallen by 54.2%.
1985–2020 · people
How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: United Kingdom
| Year | people | Change | Change, % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 153,000 | +4,000 | +2.68% |
| 2019 | 149,000 | +550 | +0.37% |
| 2018 | 148,450 | +450 | +0.3% |
| 2017 | 148,000 | −2,250 | −1.5% |
| 2016 | 150,250 | −2,100 | −1.38% |
| 2015 | 152,350 | −2,350 | −1.52% |
| 2014 | 154,700 | −4,450 | −2.8% |
| 2013 | 159,150 | −10,000 | −5.91% |
| 2012 | 169,150 | +3,500 | +2.11% |
| 2011 | 165,650 | −8,370 | −4.81% |
| 2010 | 174,020 | −4,450 | −2.49% |
| 2009 | 178,470 | +18,470 | +11.54% |
| 2008 | 160,000 | +0 | +0% |
| 2007 | 160,000 | −21,000 | −11.6% |
| 2006 | 181,000 | −36,000 | −16.59% |
| 2005 | 217,000 | +12,000 | +5.85% |
| 2004 | 205,000 | −7,600 | −3.57% |
| 2003 | 212,600 | +2,200 | +1.05% |
| 2002 | 210,400 | −1,000 | −0.47% |
| 2001 | 211,400 | −1,100 | −0.52% |
| 2000 | 212,500 | −5,500 | −2.52% |
| 1999 | 218,000 | +0 | +0% |
| 1998 | 218,000 | +0 | +0% |
| 1997 | 218,000 | −3,000 | −1.36% |
| 1996 | 221,000 | −12,000 | −5.15% |
| 1995 | 233,000 | −24,000 | −9.34% |
| 1994 | 257,000 | −14,000 | −5.17% |
| 1993 | 271,000 | −22,000 | −7.51% |
| 1992 | 293,000 | −8,000 | −2.66% |
| 1991 | 301,000 | −7,000 | −2.27% |
| 1990 | 308,000 | −10,000 | −3.14% |
| 1989 | 318,000 | — | — |
| 1985 | 334,000 | — | — |
The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages
United Kingdom
153,000
Lithuania
37,000
Norway
25,000
Finland
22,000
Denmark
15,000
Sweden
15,000
Ireland
9,000
Latvia
9,000
Estonia
7,000
Iceland
0
The total number of active military personnel: all branches of the armed forces, as well as paramilitary forces if their training, structure and equipment allow them to be used in support of the regular forces. Reservists are not counted. Estimates of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
Source: Military Expenditure Database (SIPRI), license SIPRI terms of use.
The absolute volume of defense spending in current US dollars.
Defense Military expenditure (% of GDP)The share of GDP a country spends on defense.
Demography PopulationResident population of every country as of mid-year — series from 1960 onward.
Defense Military expenditure share of the budgetWhat part of government spending goes to defense.
Defense Arms exportsTransfers of major conventional weapons abroad, in SIPRI trend-indicator values (TIV).
Defense Arms importsPurchases of major conventional weapons abroad.