Arab World vs Syria: Armed forces personnel (% of total labor force)

Arab World
2.3%
in 2020
Syria
5.4%
in 2020
Arab World rank
1st
Syria rank
3rd

Armed forces personnel (% of total labor force) over time

  • Arab World
  • Syria
2.557.51012.5199020052020

How they compare

Syria currently reports 5.4% against 2.3% in Arab World, a difference of 3.1%.

That makes Syria's figure about 2.3 times Arab World's.

The two have swapped places 2 times across 31 shared years of data; in 1990 it was Syria ahead.

Arab World ranks 1st and Syria ranks 3rd of 46 groups.

Syria has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Arab World Syria Difference Ahead
1990s 4.1% 10.8% 6.6% Syria
2000s 3.5% 7.7% 4.2% Syria
2010s 2.5% 5.2% 2.7% Syria
2020s 2.3% 5.4% 3.1% Syria

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher armed forces personnel, Arab World or Syria?
Syria, at 5.4% against 2.3% in Arab World as of 2020.
What is the difference in armed forces personnel between Arab World and Syria?
3.1%, with Syria ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Arab World and Syria?
31 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2020.
How do Arab World and Syria rank globally for armed forces personnel?
Arab World ranks 1st and Syria ranks 3rd of 46 groups.
Where does this data come from?
The Military Balance, International Institute for Strategic Studies, published as Armed forces personnel (% of total labor force). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Arab World vs Syria: Armed forces personnel. Statizoid, drawing on The Military Balance, International Institute for Strategic Studies. Retrieved 08 November 2026, from https://public-sector.statizoid.com/compare/armed-forces-personnel-percent-of-total-labor-force/arab-world/syrian-arab-republic/

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About this data

Indicator
Armed forces personnel (% of total labor force)
Unit
% of total labor force
Source
The Military Balance, International Institute for Strategic Studies
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
217 places, 6,411 data points, 1990–2020
Last refreshed

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. Labor force comprises all people who meet the International Labour Organization's definition of the economically active population.