Saudi Arabia vs South Asia: Armed forces personnel

Saudi Arabia
1.9%
in 2020
South Asia
0.6%
in 2020
Saudi Arabia rank
33rd
South Asia rank
36th

Armed forces personnel over time

  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Asia
0246199020052020

How they compare

Saudi Arabia currently reports 1.9% against 0.6% in South Asia, a difference of 1.3%.

That makes Saudi Arabia's figure about 3.2 times South Asia's.

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

Saudi Arabia ranks 33rd and South Asia ranks 36th of 171 countries.

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

Head to head by decade

Decade Saudi Arabia South Asia Difference Ahead
1990s 4.6% 0.5% 4.1% Saudi Arabia
2000s 3.5% 0.6% 2.9% Saudi Arabia
2010s 2.1% 0.6% 1.5% Saudi Arabia
2020s 1.9% 0.6% 1.3% Saudi Arabia

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher armed forces personnel, Saudi Arabia or South Asia?
Saudi Arabia, at 1.9% against 0.6% in South Asia as of 2020.
What is the difference in armed forces personnel between Saudi Arabia and South Asia?
1.3%, with Saudi Arabia ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Saudi Arabia and South Asia?
31 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2020.
How do Saudi Arabia and South Asia rank globally for armed forces personnel?
Saudi Arabia ranks 33rd and South Asia ranks 36th 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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Saudi Arabia vs South Asia: Armed forces personnel. Statizoid, drawing on The Military Balance, International Institute for Strategic Studies. Retrieved 11 September 2026, from https://public-sector.statizoid.com/compare/armed-forces-personnel-percent-of-total-labor-force/saudi-arabia/south-asia/

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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.