South Asia vs Sri Lanka: Armed forces personnel, total
South Asia
3.72 million
in 2020
Sri Lanka
317,000
in 2020
South Asia rank
21st
Sri Lanka rank
22nd
Armed forces personnel, total over time
- South Asia
- Sri Lanka
How they compare
South Asia currently reports 3.72 million against 317,000 in Sri Lanka, a difference of 3.41 million.
That makes South Asia's figure about 11.7 times Sri Lanka's.
Across all 33 years both countries report, South Asia has been ahead every year.
South Asia ranks 21st and Sri Lanka ranks 22nd of 44 groups.
South Asia has averaged higher in every one of the 5 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | South Asia | Sri Lanka | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1.41 million | 21,800 | 1.39 million | South Asia |
| 1990s | 2.11 million | 159,340 | 1.95 million | South Asia |
| 2000s | 3.11 million | 220,170 | 2.89 million | South Asia |
| 2010s | 3.47 million | 263,690 | 3.20 million | South Asia |
| 2020s | 3.72 million | 317,000 | 3.41 million | South Asia |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher armed forces personnel, total, South Asia or Sri Lanka?
- South Asia, at 3.72 million against 317,000 in Sri Lanka as of 2020.
- What is the difference in armed forces personnel, total between South Asia and Sri Lanka?
- 3.41 million, with South Asia ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for South Asia and Sri Lanka?
- 33 years are reported by both, from 1985 to 2020.
- How do South Asia and Sri Lanka rank globally for armed forces personnel, total?
- South Asia ranks 21st and Sri Lanka ranks 22nd of 44 groups.
- Where does this data come from?
- The Military Balance, International Institute for Strategic Studies, published as Armed forces personnel, total. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
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.