Largest Reserve Military Manpower: The article provides a thorough analysis of fifteen nations with the highest reserve military personnel globally, revealing that the five nations with the highest reserve military personnel can be bypassed.
The World Bank reports global military expenditures reached $2.21 trillion in 2022, with some nations benefiting from protection agreements with powerful nations like the US, France, and Australia.
The United States possesses the most formidable military force globally as of 2024, with China, Russia, and India following suit. However, do they possess the most formidable reserve of military personnel as well?
Reserve personnel, former soldiers, enlist in the Army Reserves or National Guard after completing active duty, eligible for military benefits without full-time commitment. They can mobilize in emergencies. Several nations are experiencing a reduction in both active and reserve personnel, despite possessing advanced military capabilities.
Pew Research reports that 18% of the United States population was enlisted in the armed forces in 1980; by 2022, that number has decreased to 6%. They have also predicted that the number of veterans in the United States will decrease from the current 18.3 million to 12.1 million by 2048, a span of 25 years. The deteriorating military personnel situation is a subject of apprehension for the United States. However, as of now, it remains the foremost military force globally.
What do we know about the Gabon military coup?
Defense Expenditures and the Arms and Ammunition Sector
The United States spent $877 billion on its military in 2022, or 3.5% of its gross domestic product. Governments incur greater military expenditures and arms and ammunition suppliers and manufacturers realize their greatest profits during times of war and conflict.
The Ukraine-Russia conflict in 2022 led to significant profits for the US’s largest defense contractors, Boeing, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and RTX Corporation.
Furthermore, U.S. military equipment sales to foreign governments reached a record $238 billion in 2023, an increase of sixteen percent. The defense industry will continue to expand and the MIC of the United States will continue to generate profits so long as the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues. War is “good for business,” according to a recruiter for BlackRock Inc. (NYSE: BLK) who spoke with the O’Keefe Media Group, as reported by Global Times.
Australia has committed an additional AUD 400 million to the indigenous Ghost Bat autonomous drone program of Boeing (NYSE: BA) as of February 9, 2024. Before this, the government and Boeing (NYSE: BA) agreed to an AUD 600 million contract for the maintenance and enhancement of the Royal Australian Air Force’s F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler fleets.
Ordnance and Tactical Systems, a subsidiary of General Dynamics, was awarded a $654.5 million contract by the Army Contracting Command of Newark, NJ for the M1128 metal parts program.
Lockheed Martin awarded THAAD subcontracts to Saudi Arabian companies Arabian International Company and Middle East Propulsion Company in exchange for manufacturing components of its missile system domestically.
As the frequency of geopolitical shifts and conflicts increases, nations rely increasingly on their armed forces—air, sea, and land—to defend them during critical situations. The following is a list of the nations that possess the greatest quantity of reserve military personnel worldwide.
The Methodology We Employ
The list of nations with the largest reserve forces of military personnel globally is arranged in ascending order of force magnitude, based on previous lists.
In addition, Insider Monkey is an investment website that identifies the top stock picks of over 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks via a consensus approach. The website monitors the whereabouts of hedge funds and corporate insiders. Over the past decade, our top ten consensus stock choices of hedge funds have outperformed the S&P 500 stock index by over 140 percentage points (see details here). Therefore, benefit from the knowledge of corporate insiders and hedge funds when searching for the best stock recommendations.
Egypt is among the 15 nations with the most reserve military personnel in the world.
National Military Podcast Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Events
10. Reserve military personnel in total: 480,000
Estimates place Egypt’s reserve military personnel at approximately 480,000 as of 2024, or 0.4% of the country’s total population. The nation possesses the most formidable military might in the African continent. It is important to mention that the Egyptian military consists of the Egyptian Air Defense Forces, Egyptian Army, Egyptian Navy, and Egyptian Air Force.
9. China has a total of 510,000 reserve military personnel
China, the world’s most populous nation, is ranked fourteenth with a reserve military force of 510,000 as of 2024. As is the case in virtually every other nation, Article 7 of the Military Service Law of the People’s Republic of China mandates that reservists must participate in military training and remain ready to enter the army at any time.
8. Pakistan Maintains 550,000 Reserve Military Personnel
Pakistan has rapidly climbed to the fourteenth position on the list of the world’s most powerful nations in terms of military technology. Pakistan’s military exerts significant influence over its economic and political landscape, and 550,000 troops will be available by 2024. The Pakistani military provides aid and assistance to domestic forces for internal defense in addition to its external defense responsibilities.
7. North Korea maintains a total reserve force of 560,000 personnel.
The principal objective of one of the world’s largest military forces, the Korean People’s Army (KPA), is to support the Kim regime. North Korea possesses a reserve military force of 560,000 individuals as of 2024. Combat equipment, including crew-served weapons and personal armaments, is furnished to every member of the reserve force. At least once a year, reserve personnel are required to attend boot camp for 15 to 30 days of military training.
6. Tajikistan has 600,000 in total reserve military personnel
The Republic of Tajikistan is among the select few nations whose military reserves outnumber active personnel. The nation possesses a total of 600,000 reserve military personnel as of 2024. In Tajikistan, military service is mandatory for males aged 18-27, but evasion is possible for a nominal fee of $2,200 in Somoni.
5. America the United States of Reserve military personnel in total: 799,500
The United States possesses a reserve military manpower of 799,500 as of 2024, which ranks it tenth. Among its benefits are part-time training, premium health insurance, scholarships, home loans, and an exclusive employment and pension plan.
4. Finland Maintains 870,000 reserve military personnel.
Territorial defense is the principal objective of the Finnish Defense Forces (FDF), necessitating a sizable and well-trained reserve force. Finland has an 870,000-man reserve military force, responsible for international peacekeeping operations and domestic security, as of 2024. Each male citizen of Finland is a reserve member until he reaches the age of sixty. Regional offices must oversee all affairs about reservists.
3. United Kingdom Reserve military personnel in total: 924,000
Skilled, experienced, and esteemed personnel in the British military perform a diverse range of duties. As of 2024, the United Kingdom maintains a reserve military force of 924,000 personnel. UK military reservists can enlist between the ages of 18 and 43, aiming to serve during their leisure time. The military compensates the reservists for weekend evening training.
2. India has a total of 1,155,000 reserve military personnel.
The primary objective of the Indian military is to safeguard its territory from Pakistan and China. They have an impeccable reputation for professionalism, expertise, and adequate equipment. The Indian Reserve Military requires individuals aged 18 to 42 to be graduates of an accredited university.
1. Ukraine Total military personnel in reserve: 1,200,000
Following the Russian assaults, the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) have prioritized defense operations against Russian aggression. As of 2024, despite enduring a challenging year, Ukraine maintains a reserve military force of 1,200,000 individuals. Ukrainian males are no longer signing up for the conflict because of the persistent hostilities between Russia and Ukraine.
