Around the world, several nations are rapidly climbing the ranks of global military powers and shifting the dynamics within their respective regions. The ultimate strength of these military powers lies in their standing armies and active personnel that they can field to whatever objective at hand. Here, 24/7 Wall St. is exploring ascendant military powers around the world and their standing armies.
To identify the “Powers on the Rise” countries with the most active military personnel, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed 2024 Military Strength Ranking from Global Firepower, an annually updated defense-related statistics website with information on 145 countries. Countries were ranked on the total number of active military personnel. We included supplemental information regarding total personnel, reserves, total population, fit-for-service, and overall military strength score. We specifically reviewed countries that are considered “Powers on the Rise” meaning these are the countries that have gained the most military strength in the last year.
Here is a look at the Powers on the Rise countries with the largest standing armies:
Why Are We Covering This?
Understanding global military dynamics is incredibly important due to the interconnected nature of international relations and conflicts. As long as civilization has existed, the world has witnessed shifting power balances and alliances which have ultimately shaped the current geopolitical landscape. While key players like the United States, China, and Russia are easily the global powers, there are a number of emerging military powers that have their own spheres of influence and give shape to geopolitical relations in their own unique way.
30. Estonia
- Active personnel: 7,700
- Reserves: 78,800
- Paramilitary forces: 10,000
- Total military personnel: 96,500
- Total population: 1,202,762
- Fit-for-service: 459,455
- Military strength score and world rank: 1.7237 – #87 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Estonia has a total of 7 military aircraft. It also has 1,409 military vehicles, as well as 10 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
29. New Zealand
- Active personnel: 8,670
- Reserves: 3,250
- Paramilitary forces: 300
- Total military personnel: 12,220
- Total population: 5,109,702
- Fit-for-service: 1,757,737
- Military strength score and world rank: 1.1844 – #67 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, New Zealand has a total of 47 military aircraft including 22 helicopters. It also has 4,040 military vehicles, as well as 9 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
28. Croatia
- Active personnel: 14,325
- Reserves: 20,100
- Paramilitary forces: 2,000
- Total military personnel: 36,425
- Total population: 4,169,239
- Fit-for-service: 1,571,803
- Military strength score and world rank: 1.1333 – #66 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Croatia has a total of 81 military aircraft including 11 fighter aircraft and 52 helicopters. It also has 3,076 military vehicles including 75 tanks and 105 MLRS units, as well as 32 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
27. Paraguay
- Active personnel: 15,650
- Reserves: 168,500
- Paramilitary forces: 15,000
- Total military personnel: 199,150
- Total population: 7,439,863
- Fit-for-service: 2,968,505
- Military strength score and world rank: 1.7053 – #85 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Paraguay has a total of 41 military aircraft including 14 helicopters. It also has 1,936 military vehicles including 10 tanks at its disposal.
26. Austria
- Active personnel: 16,000
- Reserves: 125,600
- Paramilitary forces: 0
- Total military personnel: 141,600
- Total population: 8,940,860
- Fit-for-service: 3,621,048
- Military strength score and world rank: 1.2351 – #71 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Austria has a total of 104 military aircraft including 15 fighter aircraft and 66 helicopters. It also has 848 military vehicles including 58 tanks at its disposal.
25. Denmark
- Active personnel: 20,000
- Reserves: 12,000
- Paramilitary forces: 51,000
- Total military personnel: 83,000
- Total population: 5,946,984
- Fit-for-service: 2,117,126
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.7743 – #48 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Denmark has a total of 119 military aircraft including 33 fighter aircraft, 4 strike aircraft, and 34 helicopters. It also has 4,056 military vehicles including 44 tanks, as well as 91 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
24. Portugal
- Active personnel: 24,000
- Reserves: 211,700
- Paramilitary forces: 24,700
- Total military personnel: 260,400
- Total population: 10,467,366
- Fit-for-service: 4,029,936
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.5609 – #38 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Portugal has a total of 117 military aircraft including 28 fighter aircraft and 38 helicopters. It also has 11,173 military vehicles including 34 tanks, as well as 113 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
23. Finland
- Active personnel: 24,000
- Reserves: 870,000
- Paramilitary forces: 53,800
- Total military personnel: 947,800
- Total population: 5,614,571
- Fit-for-service: 1,908,954
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.7967 – #50 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Finland has a total of 164 military aircraft including 55 fighter aircraft and 27 helicopters. It also has 11,716 military vehicles including 200 tanks and 76 MLRS units, as well as 246 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
22. Sweden
- Active personnel: 24,400
- Reserves: 32,900
- Paramilitary forces: 25,000
- Total military personnel: 82,300
- Total population: 10,536,338
- Fit-for-service: 3,540,210
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.4009 – #29 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Sweden has a total of 212 military aircraft including 71 fighter aircraft and 53 helicopters. It also has 7,958 military vehicles including 120 tanks, as well as 353 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
21. Serbia
- Active personnel: 25,000
- Reserves: 2,000
- Paramilitary forces: 600,000
- Total military personnel: 627,000
- Total population: 6,693,375
- Fit-for-service: 2,590,336
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.9038 – #56 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Serbia has a total of 112 military aircraft including 11 fighter aircraft, 17 strike aircraft, and 44 helicopters. It also has 3,954 military vehicles including 262 tanks and 82 MLRS units at its disposal.
20. Czechia
- Active personnel: 28,000
- Reserves: 4,200
- Paramilitary forces: 0
- Total military personnel: 32,200
- Total population: 10,706,242
- Fit-for-service: 4,079,078
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.7706 – #46 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Czechia has a total of 88 military aircraft including 12 fighter aircraft, 16 strike aircraft, and 33 helicopters. It also has 6,757 military vehicles including 65 tanks at its disposal.
19. Libya
- Active personnel: 32,000
- Reserves: 0
- Paramilitary forces: 100,000
- Total military personnel: 132,000
- Total population: 7,252,573
- Fit-for-service: 3,241,900
- Military strength score and world rank: 1.4449 – #79 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Libya has a total of 132 military aircraft including 17 fighter aircraft, 3 strike aircraft, and 32 helicopters. It also has 2,890 military vehicles including 300 tanks and 55 MLRS units, as well as 7 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
18. Georgia
- Active personnel: 55,000
- Reserves: 152,500
- Paramilitary forces: 0
- Total military personnel: 207,500
- Total population: 4,936,390
- Fit-for-service: 2,241,121
- Military strength score and world rank: 1.6969 – #84 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Georgia has a total of 52 military aircraft including 42 helicopters. It also has 5,256 military vehicles including 235 tanks and 82 MLRS units, as well as 19 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
17. United Arab Emirates
- Active personnel: 65,000
- Reserves: 130,000
- Paramilitary forces: 12,000
- Total military personnel: 207,000
- Total population: 9,973,449
- Fit-for-service: 4,916,910
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.8083 – #51 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, United Arab Emirates has a total of 560 military aircraft including 99 fighter aircraft, 18 strike aircraft, and 246 helicopters. It also has 12,253 military vehicles including 354 tanks and 162 MLRS units, as well as 79 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
16. Qatar
- Active personnel: 66,550
- Reserves: 15,000
- Paramilitary forces: 5,500
- Total military personnel: 87,050
- Total population: 2,532,104
- Fit-for-service: 486,164
- Military strength score and world rank: 1.0789 – #63 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Qatar has a total of 228 military aircraft including 92 fighter aircraft, 6 strike aircraft, and 67 helicopters. It also has 5,544 military vehicles including 99 tanks and 16 MLRS units, as well as 123 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
15. Kuwait
- Active personnel: 72,000
- Reserves: 24,000
- Paramilitary forces: 7,500
- Total military personnel: 103,500
- Total population: 3,103,580
- Fit-for-service: 1,433,854
- Military strength score and world rank: 1.4261 – #77 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Kuwait has a total of 144 military aircraft including 36 fighter aircraft and 60 helicopters. It also has 4,409 military vehicles including 367 tanks and 27 MLRS units, as well as 123 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
14. Jordan
- Active personnel: 100,500
- Reserves: 65,000
- Paramilitary forces: 35,000
- Total military personnel: 200,500
- Total population: 11,086,716
- Fit-for-service: 2,960,153
- Military strength score and world rank: 1.4651 – #80 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Jordan has a total of 265 military aircraft including 44 fighter aircraft, 6 strike aircraft, and 148 helicopters. It also has 24,148 military vehicles including 1,365 tanks and 88 MLRS units, as well as 27 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
13. Switzerland
- Active personnel: 101,584
- Reserves: 49,715
- Paramilitary forces: 5,000
- Total military personnel: 156,299
- Total population: 8,563,760
- Fit-for-service: 3,057,262
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.6097 – #43 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Switzerland has a total of 147 military aircraft including 43 fighter aircraft and 41 helicopters. It also has 4,304 military vehicles including 134 tanks at its disposal.
12. Kazakhstan
- Active personnel: 110,000
- Reserves: 135,000
- Paramilitary forces: 55,000
- Total military personnel: 300,000
- Total population: 19,543,464
- Fit-for-service: 6,683,865
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.9495 – #58 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Kazakhstan has a total of 243 military aircraft including 81 fighter aircraft, 38 strike aircraft, and 75 helicopters. It also has 6,012 military vehicles including 300 tanks and 407 MLRS units, as well as 18 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
11. Spain
- Active personnel: 133,282
- Reserves: 15,150
- Paramilitary forces: 78,470
- Total military personnel: 226,902
- Total population: 47,222,613
- Fit-for-service: 17,614,035
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.2882 – #20 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Spain has a total of 513 military aircraft including 139 fighter aircraft, 12 strike aircraft, and 121 helicopters. It also has 15,046 military vehicles including 327 tanks, as well as 168 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
10. Myanmar
- Active personnel: 150,000
- Reserves: 20,000
- Paramilitary forces: 55,000
- Total military personnel: 225,000
- Total population: 57,970,293
- Fit-for-service: 22,144,652
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.5251 – #35 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Myanmar has a total of 293 military aircraft including 58 fighter aircraft, 26 strike aircraft, and 80 helicopters. It also has 8,139 military vehicles including 705 tanks and 586 MLRS units, as well as 227 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
9. Bangladesh
- Active personnel: 163,000
- Reserves: 0
- Paramilitary forces: 6,800,000
- Total military personnel: 6,963,000
- Total population: 167,184,465
- Fit-for-service: 65,536,310
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.5419 – #37 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Bangladesh has a total of 216 military aircraft including 44 fighter aircraft and 73 helicopters. It also has 13,100 military vehicles including 320 tanks and 71 MLRS units, as well as 117 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
8. Syria
- Active personnel: 170,000
- Reserves: 50,000
- Paramilitary forces: 50,000
- Total military personnel: 270,000
- Total population: 22,933,531
- Fit-for-service: 12,728,110
- Military strength score and world rank: 1.0026 – #60 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Syria has a total of 452 military aircraft including 168 fighter aircraft, 57 strike aircraft, and 153 helicopters. It also has 14,550 military vehicles including 2,720 tanks and 614 MLRS units, as well as 47 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
7. Israel
- Active personnel: 170,000
- Reserves: 465,000
- Paramilitary forces: 35,000
- Total military personnel: 670,000
- Total population: 9,043,387
- Fit-for-service: 3,156,142
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.2596 – #17 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Israel has a total of 612 military aircraft including 241 fighter aircraft, 39 strike aircraft, and 146 helicopters. It also has 43,407 military vehicles including 1,370 tanks and 150 MLRS units, as well as 67 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
6. Germany
- Active personnel: 181,600
- Reserves: 34,000
- Paramilitary forces: 0
- Total military personnel: 215,600
- Total population: 84,220,184
- Fit-for-service: 30,993,028
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.2847 – #19 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Germany has a total of 618 military aircraft including 133 fighter aircraft, 76 strike aircraft, and 318 helicopters. It also has 79,317 military vehicles including 295 tanks and 33 MLRS units, as well as 64 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
5. Poland
- Active personnel: 202,100
- Reserves: 350,000
- Paramilitary forces: 50,000
- Total military personnel: 602,100
- Total population: 37,991,766
- Fit-for-service: 15,272,690
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.2917 – #21 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Poland has a total of 468 military aircraft including 59 fighter aircraft, 34 strike aircraft, and 215 helicopters. It also has 13,956 military vehicles including 612 tanks and 211 MLRS units, as well as 45 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
4. Japan
- Active personnel: 247,150
- Reserves: 56,000
- Paramilitary forces: 25,000
- Total military personnel: 328,150
- Total population: 123,719,238
- Fit-for-service: 43,054,295
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.1601 – #7 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Japan has a total of 1,459 military aircraft including 217 fighter aircraft, 36 strike aircraft, and 577 helicopters. It also has 37,662 military vehicles including 518 tanks and 54 MLRS units, as well as 155 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
3. Turkey
- Active personnel: 355,200
- Reserves: 378,700
- Paramilitary forces: 150,000
- Total military personnel: 883,900
- Total population: 83,593,483
- Fit-for-service: 3,561,604
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.1697 – #8 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Turkey has a total of 1,069 military aircraft including 205 fighter aircraft and 502 helicopters. It also has 55,104 military vehicles including 2,231 tanks and 286 MLRS units, as well as 186 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
2. South Korea
- Active personnel: 600,000
- Reserves: 3,100,000
- Paramilitary forces: 120,000
- Total military personnel: 3,820,000
- Total population: 51,966,948
- Fit-for-service: 21,306,449
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.1416 – #5 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, South Korea has a total of 1,576 military aircraft including 354 fighter aircraft, 98 strike aircraft, and 758 helicopters. It also has 66,492 military vehicles including 2,501 tanks and 581 MLRS units, as well as 200 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
1. Iran
- Active personnel: 610,000
- Reserves: 350,000
- Paramilitary forces: 220,000
- Total military personnel: 1,180,000
- Total population: 87,590,873
- Fit-for-service: 41,167,710
- Military strength score and world rank: 0.2269 – #14 out of 145
Apart from the personnel, Iran has a total of 551 military aircraft including 186 fighter aircraft, 23 strike aircraft, and 129 helicopters. It also has 65,765 military vehicles including 1,996 tanks and 775 MLRS units, as well as 101 ships and/or submarines at its disposal.
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