Natural bodies of water are a great deterrent to invasion. Because of this fact as well as geopolitical and historical factors, 30 of the 38 countries without a military are islands.
To identify the countries without a military, 24/7 Wall St. referenced the CIA World Factbook’s military and security forces fact sheet, The 38 nations and territories listed here are all those the CIA notes as having “no regular military forces.” Population estimates for 2023, region, and additional notes on each nation’s police or other security forces are also from the CIA. The countries are listed by population, in ascending order.
According to World Population Review, countries without militaries have either been demilitarized, never established a military when the nation was created, or are former colonies/dependencies of nations with militaries and are still under their protection. Some of these countries have a national police force that is a de facto military entity. (Conversely, see the countries with the most military firepower.)
Two areas of the world have the most nations without a military: Central America and the Caribbean and Australia and Oceania. The military responsibilities for the mostly island nations of the former region are taken up by a regional organization of a group of islands or by former colonial powers such as the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom.
Australia and New Zealand have military oversight for many of the islands in the South Pacific such as Vanuatu and Kiribati. The U.S. is responsible for the defense of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, both also in the South Pacific. (These are the 17 most expensive US Navy warships and submarines.)
Seven autonomous places in Europe do not have a military. Four of them are among the smallest nations in the world and are not islands: Andorra, Liechtenstein, San Marino, and Monaco. If you are wondering why tiny Holy See (Vatican City) is not on the list, the CIA World Factbook considers the Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps a de facto military force.
Of the eight countries on the list that are not islands, two of them, Costa Rica and Panama, share a border. The other places that are not islands are Hong Kong and Macau, which are special administrative regions of China.
Click here to see the nations without a military.
38. British Indian Ocean Territory
> Population: not available
> Region: South Asia
> Security forces: British Indian Ocean Territory Police
CIA additional info: “Defense is the responsibility of the UK; in November 2016, the UK extended the US lease on Diego Garcia until December 2036”
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37. Niue
> Population: 2,000 (#231 largest out of 237)
> Region: Australia and Oceania
> Security forces: Niue Police
CIA additional info: “Defense is the responsibility of New Zealand.”
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36. Svalbard
> Population: 2,926 (#229 largest out of 237)
> Region: Europe
> Security forces: Svalbard Police
CIA additional info: “Svalbard is a territory of Norway, demilitarized by treaty on 9 February 1920; Norwegian military activity is limited to fisheries surveillance by the Norwegian Coast Guard.”
35. Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
> Population: 3,198 (#228 largest out of 237)
> Region: South America
> Security forces: Royal Falkland Islands Police
CIA additional info: “Defense is the responsibility of the UK, which maintains about 1,200 troops on the islands.”
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34. Montserrat
> Population: 5,440 (#226 largest out of 237)
> Region: Central America and the Caribbean
> Security forces: Royal Montserrat Defense Force (ceremonial, civil defense duties), Montserrat Police Force
CIA additional info: “Defense is the responsibility of the UK.”
33. Cook Islands
> Population: 7,939 (#223 largest out of 237)
> Region: Australia and Oceania
> Security forces: Cook Islands Police Service
CIA additional info: “Defense is the responsibility of New Zealand in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request.”
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32. Nauru
> Population: 9,852 (#222 largest out of 237)
> Region: Australia and Oceania
> Security forces: Nauru Police Force
CIA additional info: “Nauru maintains no defense forces; under an informal agreement, defense is the responsibility of Australia. The police force, under the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, maintains internal security and, as necessary, external security.”
31. Tuvalu
> Population: 11,639 (#221 largest out of 237)
> Region: Australia and Oceania
> Security forces: Tuvalu Police Force (Ministry of Justice, Communications, and Foreign Affairs)
CIA additional info: “Australia provides support to the Tuvalu Police Force, including donations of patrol boats.”
30. Palau
> Population: 21,779 (#218 largest out of 237)
> Region: Australia and Oceania
> Security forces: the Ministry of Justice includes divisions/bureaus for public security, police functions, and maritime law enforcement
CIA additional info: “Under the Compact of Free Association (COFA) between Palau and the US, the US is responsible for the defense of Palau and the US military is granted access to the islands, but it has not stationed any military forces there; the COFA also allows citizens o”
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29. Monaco
> Population: 31,597 (#216 largest out of 237)
> Region: Europe
> Security forces: Ministry of Interior: Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince (Prince’s Company of Carabiniers), Corps des Sapeurs-pompiers de Monaco (Fire and Emergency), Police Department.
CIA additional info: “Defense is the responsibility of France. The primary responsibility for the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince is guarding the palace”
28. San Marino
> Population: 34,892 (#214 largest out of 237)
> Region: Europe
> Security forces: Military Corps (National Guard): Guard of the Rock (or Fortress Guard), Uniformed Militia, Guard of the Great and General Council, Corps of the Gendarmerie; Ministry of Internal Affairs: Civil Police Corps
CIA additional info: “Defense is the responsibility of Italy. The captains regent oversee the Gendarmerie and National Guard when they are performing duties related to public order and security; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs exercises control over such administrative function”
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27. Liechtenstein
> Population: 39,993 (#212 largest out of 237)
> Region: Europe
> Security forces: National Police
CIA additional info: “The National Police is responsible for all matters relating to the safety and security of Liechtenstein.”
26. Sint Maarten
> Population: 45,677 (#210 largest out of 237)
> Region: Central America and the Caribbean
> Security forces: Saint Martin Police Force (Korps Politie Sint Marteen)
CIA additional info: “Defense is the responsibility of France”
25. Faroe Islands
> Population: 52,600 (#208 largest out of 237)
> Region: Europe
> Security forces: Faroe Islands Police
CIA additional info: “dk/en/faroe-islands-police”
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24. Greenland
> Population: 57,777 (#206 largest out of 237)
> Region: North America
> Security forces: Greenland Police
CIA additional info: “The Danish military’s Joint Arctic Command in Nuuk is responsible for coordinating Denmark’s defense of Greenland.”
23. Cayman Islands
> Population: 65,483 (#204 largest out of 237)
> Region: Central America and the Caribbean
> Security forces: Royal Cayman Islands Police Service
CIA additional info: “defense is the responsibility of the UK”
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22. Dominica
> Population: 74,656 (#201 largest out of 237)
> Region: Central America and the Caribbean
> Security forces: Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (includes Coast Guard) under the Ministry of Justice, Immigration, and National Security.
CIA additional info: “Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (includes Coast Guard) under the Ministry of Justice, Immigration, and National Security.”
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21. Marshall Islands
> Population: 80,966 (#200 largest out of 237)
> Region: Australia and Oceania
> Security forces: Marshall Islands Police Department (MIPD,) local police forces, and the Sea Patrol (maritime police)
CIA additional info: “Defense is the responsibility of the United States. The national police (Marshall Islands Police Department, MIPD), local police forces, and the Sea Patrol (maritime police) maintain internal security; the MIPD and Sea Patrol report to the Ministry of Jus”
20. Andorra
> Population: 85,468 (#199 largest out of 237)
> Region: Europe
> Security forces: Police Corps of Andorra
CIA additional info: “Defense is the responsibility of France and Spain.”
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19. Federated States of Micronesia
> Population: 100,319 (#196 largest out of 237)
> Region: Australia and Oceania
> Security forces: Federated States of Micronesia National Police (includes a maritime wing)
CIA additional info: “Defense is the responsibility of the United States. The Department of Justice oversees the National Police; State police forces are responsible for law enforcement in their respective states and are under the jurisdiction of each state’s director of public”
18. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
> Population: 100,804 (#195 largest out of 237)
> Region: Central America and the Caribbean
> Security forces: Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVPF; includes the Coast Guard, Special Services Unit, Rapid Response Unit, Drug Squad, and Anti-Trafficking Unit)
CIA additional info: “The country has been a member of the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) since its creation in 1982; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts, and Saint Lucia) agreed to prepare contingency plans and assist one a”
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17. Grenada
> Population: 114,299 (#190 largest out of 237)
> Region: Central America and the Caribbean
> Security forces: Royal Grenada Police Force (under the Ministry of National Security) includes a Coast Guard and a paramilitary Special Services Unit
CIA additional info: “Grenada joined the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) in 1985; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) agreed to prepare contingency plans and assist one another, on r”
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16. Kiribati
> Population: 115,372 (#189 largest out of 237)
> Region: Australia and Oceania
> Security forces: Kiribati Police and Prison Service (Ministry of Justice)
CIA additional info: “Defense assistance is provided by Australia and New Zealand.”
15. Aruba
> Population: 123,702 (#188 largest out of 237)
> Region: Central America and the Caribbean
> Security forces: Aruban Militia (ARUMIL)
CIA additional info: “Defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the Aruba security services focus on organized crime and terrorism; the Dutch Government controls foreign and defense policy; the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard (DCCG) provides maritime security”
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14. Curacao
> Population: 152,849 (#187 largest out of 237)
> Region: Central America and the Caribbean
> Security forces: Curaçao Militia (CURMIL)
CIA additional info: “Defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the Dutch Government controls foreign and defense policy; the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard (DCCG) provides maritime security.”
13. Saint Lucia
> Population: 167,591 (#186 largest out of 237)
> Region: Central America and the Caribbean
> Security forces: Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (includes Special Service Unit, Marine Unit)
CIA additional info: “Saint Lucia has been a member of the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) since its creation in 1982; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) agreed to prepare contingency p”
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12. Samoa
> Population: 207,501 (#184 largest out of 237)
> Region: Australia and Oceania
> Security forces: Samoa Police Force (Ministry of Police, Prisons, and Correction Services)
CIA additional info: “Informal defense ties exist with NZ, which is required to consider any Samoan request for assistance under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship.”
11. New Caledonia
> Population: 300,682 (#182 largest out of 237)
> Region: Australia and Oceania
> Security forces: France bases land, air, and naval forces on New Caledonia (Forces Armées de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, FANC)
CIA additional info: “Defense is the responsibility of France.”
10. French Polynesia
> Population: 301,488 (#181 largest out of 237)
> Region: Australia and Oceania
> Security forces: Local police and French Gendarmes
CIA additional info: “frommers”
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9. Vanuatu
> Population: 313,046 (#179 largest out of 237)
> Region: Australia and Oceania
> Security forces: Ministry of Internal Affairs: Vanuatu Police Force (VPF)
CIA additional info: “The separate British and French police forces were unified in 1980 under Ni-Vanuatu officers as the New Hebrides Constabulary; the force retained some British and French officers as advisors; the Constabulary was subsequently renamed the Vanuatu Police Fo”
8. Iceland
> Population: 360,872 (#177 largest out of 237)
> Region: Europe
> Security forces: Ministry of Interior: Icelandic Coast Guard (includes both air and maritime elements); Icelandic National Police.
CIA additional info: “Iceland is the only NATO member that has no standing military force; defense of Iceland remains a NATO commitment and NATO maintains an air policing presence in Icelandic airspace; Iceland participates in international peacekeeping missions with the civil”
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7. Macau (China S.A.R.)
> Population: 639,971 (#169 largest out of 237)
> Region: East and Southeast Asia
> Security forces: Macau Public Security Police Force (includes the Police Intervention Tactical Unit or UTIP for counterterrorism operations)
CIA additional info: “Defense is the responsibility of China; the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) maintains a garrison in Macau.”
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6. Solomon Islands
> Population: 714,766 (#167 largest out of 237)
> Region: Australia and Oceania
> Security forces: Royal Solomon Islands Police Force
CIA additional info: “Australia and New Zealand provide material and training assistance to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force. The RSIP is responsible for internal and external security and reports to the Ministry of Police, National Security, and Correctional Services.”
5. Mauritius
> Population: 1,309,448 (#158 largest out of 237)
> Region: Africa
> Security forces: Mauritius Police Force (MPF)
CIA additional info: “The Mauritius Police Force (MPF) under the Ministry of Defense includes a paramilitary unit known as the Special Mobile Force, which includes some motorized infantry and light armored units; the MPF also has a Police Helicopter Squadron, a Special Support”
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4. Puerto Rico
> Population: 3,057,311 (#137 largest out of 237)
> Region: Central America and the Caribbean
> Security forces: US National Guard (Army and Air), State Guard, Police Force
CIA additional info: “Defense is the responsibility of the United States.”
3. Panama
> Population: 4,404,108 (#127 largest out of 237)
> Region: Central America and the Caribbean
> Security forces: Ministry of Public Security: the Panama National Police (La PolicÃa Nacional de Panamá, PNP), National Air-Naval Service (Servicio Nacional Aeronaval, SENAN), National Border Service (Servicio Nacional de Fronteras, SENAFRONT)
CIA additional info: “The PNP includes paramilitary special forces units for counterterrorism and counternarcotics missions; in addition to its 3 regionally-based border security brigades, SENAFRONT includes a special forces brigade, which is comprised of special forces, count”
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2. Costa Rica
> Population: 5,256,612 (#124 largest out of 237)
> Region: Central America and the Caribbean
> Security forces: Ministry of Public Security: the Public Force (Fuerza Pública (National Police)), Air Surveillance Service (Servicio de Vigilancia Aérea), National Coast Guard Service (Servicio Nacional de Guardacostas), Border Police (Policia de Fronteras); Ministry of
CIA additional info: “Costa Rica relies on specialized paramilitary units within the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) for internal security missions and countering transnational threats such as narcotics smuggling and organized crime, as well as for participating in regional”
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1. Hong Kong (China S.A.R.)
> Population: 7,288,167 (#105 largest out of 237)
> Region: East and Southeast Asia
> Security forces: Hong Kong Police Force (specialized units include the Police Counterterrorism Response Unit, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau, the Special Duties Unit, the Airport Security Unit, and the VIP Protection Unit)
CIA additional info: “Defense is the responsibility of China. The Hong Kong garrison of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) includes elements of the PLA Army, PLA Navy, and PLA Air Force; these forces are under the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission in Bei”
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