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

Iran
2.4%
in 2020
World
0.8%
in 2020
Iran rank
22nd
World rank
22nd

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

  • Iran
  • World
12345199020052020

How they compare

Iran currently reports 2.4% against 0.8% in World, a difference of 1.6%.

That makes Iran's figure about 3.0 times World's.

Across all 31 years both countries report, Iran has been ahead every year.

Iran ranks 22nd and World ranks 22nd of 171 countries.

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

Head to head by decade

Decade Iran World Difference Ahead
1990s 4.0% 1.1% 2.9% Iran
2000s 2.5% 1.0% 1.6% Iran
2010s 2.2% 0.8% 1.3% Iran
2020s 2.4% 0.8% 1.6% Iran

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher armed forces personnel, Iran or World?
Iran, at 2.4% against 0.8% in World as of 2020.
What is the difference in armed forces personnel between Iran and World?
1.6%, with Iran ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Iran and World?
31 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2020.
How do Iran and World rank globally for armed forces personnel?
Iran ranks 22nd and World ranks 22nd of 171 countries.
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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Iran vs World: 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/iran-islamic-rep/world/

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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.