Armed forces personnel, total, annual growth rate in South Africa

South Africa: Armed forces personnel, total, annual growth rate was -1.11 % change on previous year in 2020. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2020)
-1.11 % change on previous year
Change on year
down 384.6%
World rank
151st
of 173 countries
All-time high
269.2 % change on previous year
in 1995
All-time low
-63.08 % change on previous year
in 1999
Years of data
31
1990–2020

Armed forces personnel, total, annual growth rate in South Africa, 1990–2020

-10001002003001990200520201990: -15 % change on previous year1991: -5.9 % change on previous year1992: -6.2 % change on previous year1993: 0 % change on previous year1994: 0 % change on previous year1995: 269.2 % change on previous year1996: 0.361 % change on previous year1997: -21.8 % change on previous year1998: -2.6 % change on previous year1999: -63.1 % change on previous year2000: -8.4 % change on previous year2001: -6.4 % change on previous year2002: -10.4 % change on previous year2003: -7.2 % change on previous year2004: -1.3 % change on previous year2005: 1.8 % change on previous year2006: 83.9 % change on previous year2007: -39.8 % change on previous year2008: 0 % change on previous year2009: 24.4 % change on previous year2010: 0 % change on previous year2011: 0.556 % change on previous year2012: -20 % change on previous year2013: 24.2 % change on previous year2014: 6.6 % change on previous year2015: -0.122 % change on previous year2016: -0.913 % change on previous year2017: -1.7 % change on previous year2018: 12.1 % change on previous year2019: 0.39 % change on previous year2020: -1.1 % change on previous year

Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in % change on previous year.

Analysis

South Africa recorded -1.11 % change on previous year for armed forces personnel, total, annual growth rate in 2020.

The figure is down 384.6% on the previous year and down 813.9% over five years.

Over the whole period, armed forces personnel, total, annual growth rate in South Africa peaked at 269.2 % change on previous year in 1995 and was at its lowest, -63.08 % change on previous year, in 1999.

South Africa ranks 151st of 173 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Armed forces personnel, total, annual growth rate in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Armed forces personnel, total, annual growth rate in South Africa, 1990 to 2020.
Year % change on previous year Change
1990 -15 % change on previous year
1991 -5.88 % change on previous year -60.8%
1992 -6.25 % change on previous year +6.3%
1993 0 % change on previous year -100.0%
1994 0 % change on previous year
1995 269.2 % change on previous year
1996 0.3611 % change on previous year -99.9%
1997 -21.76 % change on previous year -6124.2%
1998 -2.64 % change on previous year -87.9%
1999 -63.08 % change on previous year +2289.7%
2000 -8.38 % change on previous year -86.7%
2001 -6.42 % change on previous year -23.3%
2002 -10.45 % change on previous year +62.6%
2003 -7.17 % change on previous year -31.4%
2004 -1.26 % change on previous year -82.5%
2005 1.82 % change on previous year -244.7%
2006 83.93 % change on previous year +4516.1%
2007 -39.81 % change on previous year -147.4%
2008 0 % change on previous year -100.0%
2009 24.44 % change on previous year
2010 0 % change on previous year -100.0%
2011 0.556 % change on previous year
2012 -19.96 % change on previous year -3688.9%
2013 24.24 % change on previous year -221.4%
2014 6.61 % change on previous year -72.7%
2015 -0.1216 % change on previous year -101.8%
2016 -0.913 % change on previous year +650.9%
2017 -1.72 % change on previous year +88.4%
2018 12.06 % change on previous year -801.3%
2019 0.3904 % change on previous year -96.8%
2020 -1.11 % change on previous year -384.6%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 15.49 % change on previous year -63.08 % change on previous year 269.2 % change on previous year 10
2000s 3.67 % change on previous year -39.81 % change on previous year 83.93 % change on previous year 10
2010s 2.11 % change on previous year -19.96 % change on previous year 24.24 % change on previous year 10
2020s -1.11 % change on previous year -1.11 % change on previous year -1.11 % change on previous year 1

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 150 Germany -0.5435 % change on previous year compare
  2. 152 Italy -1.17 % change on previous year compare
  3. 153 Armenia -4.08 % change on previous year compare
  4. 154 Ukraine -4.18 % change on previous year compare

See the full ranking of 219 places →

More public sector data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is armed forces personnel, total, annual growth rate in South Africa?
Armed forces personnel, total, annual growth rate in South Africa was -1.11 % change on previous year in 2020, according to Statizoid (derived).
What is the highest armed forces personnel, total, annual growth rate recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 269.2 % change on previous year in 1995.
What is the lowest armed forces personnel, total, annual growth rate recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was -63.08 % change on previous year in 1999.
How does South Africa rank for armed forces personnel, total, annual growth rate?
South Africa ranks 151st out of 173 countries with data for 2020.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Armed forces personnel, total, annual growth rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Armed forces personnel, total, annual growth rate in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on Statizoid (derived). Retrieved 30 August 2026, from https://public-sector.statizoid.com/stat/armed-forces-personnel-total-annual-growth-rate/south-africa/

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How this figure is calculated

The year-on-year percentage change in Armed forces personnel, total. Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.

Computed from

Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.

About this data

Indicator
Armed forces personnel, total, annual growth rate
Unit
% change on previous year
Source
Statizoid (derived)
Licence
Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page
Coverage
219 places, 6,344 data points, 1990–2020
Last refreshed

The year-on-year percentage change in Armed forces personnel, total. Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.