Germany: Armed forces

* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
 Germany

Armed forces personnel

 Latest value 183,000
 Year 2020
 Measure people
 Data availability 1985 - 2020
 Average 293,589
 Min - Max 177,300 - 545,000
 Source International Institute for Strategic Studies
 Available for Data download
The latest value from 2020 is 183000 people, a decline from 184000 people in 2019. In comparison, the world average is 162240 people, based on data from 167 countries. Historically, the average for Germany from 1985 to 2020 is 293589 people. The minimum value, 177300 people, was reached in 2015 while the maximum of 545000 people was recorded in 1990. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.
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 Recent values Germany: Armed forces
 2020 183,000
 2019 184,000
 2018 181,400
 2017 180,000
 2016 179,100
 2015 177,300
 2014 178,600
 2013 181,550




Definition: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces.

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 Related indicators Latest Reference Measure
 Military spending 88.46 2024 billion U.S. dollars
 Military spending, percent of GDP 2.27 2025 percent
 Military spending, percent of government spending 3.93 2024 percent
 Armed forces 183,000 2020 people
 Armed forces, percent of labor force 0.42 2020 percent
 Arms exports 2,049.00 2024 SIPRI TIVs
 Arms imports 239,000,000.00 2024 SIPRI TIVs
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