Small but Mighty Armies of WWII, Every Country Ranked by Size

In the aftermath of WWII, dozens of areas previously under German occupation experienced a new-found freedom. One of these locations was the small island of Jersey, off the coast of western France. Two recently opened exhibits on the island celebrate this triumphant time in history. The showcase at the Jersey Museum, aptly titled “Life After Liberation”, displays several as-yet-unseen artifacts, like a stack of German war helmets. The exhibit is dedicated to detailed how post WWII society dealt with the challenges of reuniting and rebuilding their community. A second exhibit, this one at Hamptonne Country Life Museum, highlights the hardships faced by Jersey farmers.

WWII was one of the most destructive in history due to the use of heavy artillery. Tanks, aircraft, and more left much of Europe, Japan, parts of Africa, and many other Pacific islands in ruin. Cities and towns were razed, bridges and railroads were demolished, and many landscapes that saw battle were burned.

Using data compiled by Statista, 24/7 Wall St. identified the country with the smallest army in World War II. Countries are ranked by the total estimated number of troops mobilized during the war. We only considered the 22 countries with available data that mobilized over 200,000 troops.

The war had been raging on for two years when Japan attacked the US in Pearl Harbor and ushered the United States into joining the fray. America wasted no time in ramping up its efforts, putting its industrial might into mass weapons and material production. The country mobilized 16.4 million troops, more than almost all of the other countries involved except Germany and Russia. Germany sent 18.1 million and Russia sent 34.7 million troops into the war effort.

In the European Theater, one of two main combat areas, fighting between Germany and Russia on the Eastern Front was especially devastating. The attempted German invasion of Russia, known as Operation Barbarossa, resulted in some of the deadliest battles and sieges in history.

As a result, during the war, no country suffered more deaths – both civilian and military deaths – than Russia. More than 23 million Russians are estimated to have been killed in WWII. For context, American deaths are estimated to have totaled less than half a million.

This post was updated on May 15, 2025 to include information on Jersey museum exhibits focusing on WWII.

Why Are We Talking About World War II?

The graves , Normandy American Cemetery , Colleville sur mer , Normandy , France

World War II spanned the globe and created lasting impacts on all involved. Having a good grasp of history helps us better understand our present situations. Understanding the history of this war and those that followed may give us the insight needed to avoid such conflict now and in the future if we heed the warnings they provide.

These are the nations that mobilized the most troops during WWII.

22. New Zealand

Total troops mobilized: Approx. 204,000 (12.4% of pop.)
War deaths: Approx. 11,671 military (0.7% of pop.)
Side of conflict: Allies
National population in 1939: Approx. 1,641,600
Date entered war: Sept. 3, 1939

21. South Africa

Total troops mobilized: Approx. 330,000 (3.2% of pop.)
War deaths: Approx. 11,900 military (0.1% of pop.)
Side of conflict: Allies
National population in 1939: Approx. 10,160,000
Date entered war: Sept. 4, 1939

20. Netherlands

Total troops mobilized: Approx. 400,000 (4.6% of pop.)
War deaths: Approx. 7,900 military; 198,000 civilian (2.4% of pop.)
Side of conflict: Allies
National population in 1939: Approx. 8,729,000
Date entered war: May 10, 1940

19. Bulgaria

Total troops mobilized: Approx. 450,000 (7.0% of pop.)
War deaths: Approx. 22,000 military; 3,000 civilian (0.4% of pop.)
Side of conflict: Axis and later the Allies
National population in 1939: Approx. 6,458,000
Date entered war: April 20, 1941

18. Greece

Total troops mobilized: Approx. 540,000 (7.5% of pop.)
War deaths: Approx. 20,000 military; 400,000 civilian (5.8% of pop.)
Side of conflict: Allies
National population in 1939: Approx. 7,222,000
Date entered war: Oct. 28, 1940

17. Hungary

Total troops mobilized: Approx. 600,000 (6.6% of pop.)
War deaths: Approx. 300,000 military; 680,000 civilian (10.7% of pop.)
Side of conflict: Axis
National population in 1939: Approx. 9,129,000
Date entered war: June 27, 1941

16. Belgium

Total troops mobilized: Approx. 600,000 (7.2% of pop.)
War deaths: Approx. 12,100 military; 76,000 civilian (1.1% of pop.)
Side of conflict: Allies
National population in 1939: Approx. 8,387,000
Date entered war: May 10, 1940

15. Finland

Total troops mobilized: Approx. 650,000 (17.6% of pop.)
War deaths: Approx. 95,000 military; 2,000 civilian (2.6% of pop.)
Side of conflict: Possessed by Axis powers, ultimately declared war on Germany
National population in 1939: Approx. 3,700,000
Date entered war: Nov. 30, 1939

14. Australia

Total troops mobilized: Approx. 1,000,000 (14.4% of pop.)
War deaths: Approx. 39,366 military; 735 civilian (0.6% of pop.)
Side of conflict: Allies
National population in 1939: Approx. 6,936,000
Date entered war: Sept. 3, 1939

13. Canada

Total troops mobilized: Approx. 1,100,000 (9.8% of pop.)
War deaths: Approx. 45,300 military (0.4% of pop.)
Side of conflict: Allies
National population in 1939: Approx. 11,267,000
Date entered war: Sept. 10, 1939

12. Yugoslavia

Total troops mobilized: Approx. 1,500,000 (9.7% of pop.)
War deaths: Approx. 446,000 military; 581,000 civilian (6.7% of pop.)
Side of conflict: Axis, eventually invaded by Germany
National population in 1939: Approx. 15,400,000
Date entered war: April 6, 1941

11. Romania

Total troops mobilized: Approx. 2,000,000 (10.0% of pop.)
War deaths: Approx. 370,000 military; 533,000 civilian (4.5% of pop.)
Side of conflict: Axis and later the Allies
National population in 1939: Approx. 19,934,000
Date entered war: June 22, 1941

10. Poland

Total troops mobilized: Approx. 2,000,000 (5.8% of pop.)
War deaths: Approx. 400,000 military; 5,200,000 civilian (16.1% of pop.)
Side of conflict: Allies
National population in 1939: Approx. 34,775,000
Date entered war: Sept. 1, 1939

9. India

Total troops mobilized: Approx. 2,581,000 (0.7% of pop.)
War deaths: Approx. 87,000 military; 1,500,000 civilian (0.4% of pop.)
Side of conflict: Allies
National population in 1939: Approx. 378,000,000
Date entered war: Sept. 3, 1939

8. France

Total troops mobilized: Approx. 5,000,000 (12.0% of pop.)
War deaths: Approx. 212,000 military; 260,000 civilian (1.1% of pop.)
Side of conflict: Allies (the puppet state of Vichy France was an Axis power)
National population in 1939: Approx. 41,700,000
Date entered war: Sept. 3, 1939

7. United Kingdom

Total troops mobilized: Approx. 5,896,000 (12.3% of pop.)
War deaths: Approx. 382,600 military; 67,800 civilian (0.9% of pop.)
Side of conflict: Allies
National population in 1939: Approx. 47,760,000
Date entered war: Sept. 3, 1939

6. Japan

Total troops mobilized: Approx. 9,100,000 (12.7% of pop.)
War deaths: Approx. 2,000,000 military; 600,000 civilian (3.6% of pop.)
Side of conflict: Axis
National population in 1939: Approx. 71,380,000
Date entered war: July 7, 1937 (beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War)

5. Italy

Total troops mobilized: Approx. 9,100,000 (20.5% of pop.)
War deaths: Approx. 306,400 military; 153,100 civilian (1.0% of pop.)
Side of conflict: Axis
National population in 1939: Approx. 44,394,000
Date entered war: June 10, 1940

4. China

Total troops mobilized: Approx. 14,000,000 (2.7% of pop.)
War deaths: Approx. 4,000,000 military; 16,000,000 civilian (3.9% of pop.)
Side of conflict: Allies
National population in 1939: Approx. 517,568,000
Date entered war: July 7, 1937 (beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War)

3. United States

Total troops mobilized: Approx. 16,354,000 (12.5% of pop.)
War deaths: Approx. 407,318 military; 11,200 civilian (0.3% of pop.)
Side of conflict: Allies
National population in 1939: Approx. 131,028,000
Date entered war: Dec. 7, 1941

2. Germany

Total troops mobilized: Approx. 18,100,000 (22.7% of pop.)
War deaths: Approx. 5,500,000 military; 2,000,000 civilian (9.4% of pop.)
Side of conflict: Axis
National population in 1939: Approx. 79,800,000
Date entered war: Sept. 1, 1939

1. Soviet Union

Total troops mobilized: Approx. 34,746,000 (31.8% of pop.)
War deaths: Approx. 10,700,000 military; 12,500,000 civilian (21.2% of Russian pop.)
Side of conflict: Allies
National population in 1939: Approx. 109,300,000 (Russia)
Date entered war: Sept. 17, 1939

Methodology

24/7 Wall St. used data compiled by Statista to identify the country that had the smallest army in WWII. Countries are ranked by the total estimated number of troops mobilized during the war. We only considered the 22 countries with available data that mobilized over 200,000 troops. Supplemental data on military and civilians killed and population totals in 1939 are estimates from the World War II Database, an online compilation of historical facts about the war.

Troop totals are estimates only and, in some cases, represent troops who fought for both the Allied and Axis powers. Though the war began in Europe in 1939, for this story, the war is considered to have begun in 1937 for both China and Japan with the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Troop mobilization estimates for Italy vary considerably, depending on the source, and may include Libyan and East African troops. Estimates for Japan may also include Thai troops as well as troops from Japanese colonies like Korea and Taiwan. Troop estimates for Romania may overlap with troop counts from Yugoslavia and Croatia.