North Korea Military Size 1985-2024
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.
- North Korea military size for 2020 was 1,469,000.00, a 0% increase from 2019.
- North Korea military size for 2019 was 1,469,000.00, a 0% increase from 2018.
- North Korea military size for 2018 was 1,469,000.00, a 0% increase from 2017.
- North Korea military size for 2017 was 1,469,000.00, a 0% increase from 2016.
| Similar Country Ranking |
| Country Name |
Number of People |
| North Korea |
1,469,000.00 |
| Syrian Arab Republic |
269,000.00 |
| Eritrea |
202,000.00 |
| Afghanistan |
165,000.00 |
| Ethiopia |
138,000.00 |
| Democratic Republic of Congo |
134,000.00 |
| Nepal |
112,000.00 |
| South Sudan |
53,000.00 |
| Zimbabwe |
51,000.00 |
| Uganda |
46,000.00 |
| Chad |
45,000.00 |
| Mali |
41,000.00 |
| Yemen |
40,000.00 |
| Rwanda |
35,000.00 |
| Burundi |
31,000.00 |
| Tanzania |
28,000.00 |
| Madagascar |
22,000.00 |
| Senegal |
19,000.00 |
| Tajikistan |
17,000.00 |
| Malawi |
15,000.00 |
| Somalia |
14,000.00 |
| Guinea |
13,000.00 |
| Benin |
12,000.00 |
| Mozambique |
11,000.00 |
| Burkina Faso |
11,000.00 |
| Niger |
10,000.00 |
| Central African Republic |
10,000.00 |
| Togo |
10,000.00 |
| Sierra Leone |
9,000.00 |
| Gambia |
4,000.00 |
| Guinea-Bissau |
4,000.00 |
| Liberia |
2,000.00 |
| Haiti |
1,000.00 |
| North Korea Military Size - Historical Data |
| Year |
Number of People |
Annual % Change |
| 2020 |
1,469,000.00 |
0.00% |
| 2019 |
1,469,000.00 |
0.00% |
| 2018 |
1,469,000.00 |
0.00% |
| 2017 |
1,469,000.00 |
0.00% |
| 2016 |
1,469,000.00 |
6.53% |
| 2015 |
1,379,000.00 |
0.00% |
| 2014 |
1,379,000.00 |
0.00% |
| 2013 |
1,379,000.00 |
0.00% |
| 2012 |
1,379,000.00 |
0.00% |
| 2011 |
1,379,000.00 |
0.00% |
| 2010 |
1,379,000.00 |
0.00% |
| 2009 |
1,379,000.00 |
6.49% |
| 2008 |
1,295,000.00 |
0.00% |
| 2007 |
1,295,000.00 |
0.00% |
| 2006 |
1,295,000.00 |
0.00% |
| 2005 |
1,295,000.00 |
0.00% |
| 2004 |
1,295,000.00 |
1.89% |
| 2003 |
1,271,000.00 |
0.00% |
| 2002 |
1,271,000.00 |
0.00% |
| 2001 |
1,271,000.00 |
2.17% |
| 2000 |
1,244,000.00 |
0.00% |
| 1999 |
1,244,000.00 |
0.00% |
| 1998 |
1,244,000.00 |
0.00% |
| 1997 |
1,244,000.00 |
6.42% |
| 1996 |
1,169,000.00 |
-5.95% |
| 1995 |
1,243,000.00 |
13.00% |
| 1994 |
1,100,000.00 |
0.00% |
| 1993 |
1,100,000.00 |
-8.33% |
| 1992 |
1,200,000.00 |
0.00% |
| 1991 |
1,200,000.00 |
0.00% |
| 1990 |
1,200,000.00 |
15.38% |
| 1989 |
1,040,000.00 |
24.11% |
| 1985 |
838,000.00 |
24.11% |
