Canada: Armed forces

* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
 Canada

Armed forces personnel

 Latest value 72,000
 Year 2020
 Measure people
 Data availability 1985 - 2020
 Average 71,495
 Min - Max 61,600 - 88,000
 Source International Institute for Strategic Studies
 Available for Data download
The latest value from 2020 is 72000 people, unchanged from 72000 people in 2019. In comparison, the world average is 162240 people, based on data from 167 countries. Historically, the average for Canada from 1985 to 2020 is 71495 people. The minimum value, 61600 people, was reached in 2002 while the maximum of 88000 people was recorded in 1989. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.
Select indicator
* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
From   To 


 Recent values Canada: Armed forces
 2020 72,000
 2019 72,000
 2018 72,400
 2017 72,000
 2016 67,500
 2015 67,500
 2014 70,200
 2013 65,700




Definition: 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.

Other resources:

Download data from our database

All indicators for Canada

All indicators on the website

Article: Are trade deficits bad for the economy?

Article: Sources of economic growth

Article: Currency values and investment returns

All articles



 Related indicators Latest Reference Measure
 Military spending 29.35 2024 billion U.S. dollars
 Military spending, percent of GDP 1.31 2024 percent
 Military spending, percent of government spending 3.08 2024 percent
 Armed forces 72,000 2020 people
 Armed forces, percent of labor force 0.35 2020 percent
 Arms exports 152.00 2024 SIPRI TIVs
 Arms imports 149,000,000.00 2024 SIPRI TIVs
This site uses cookies.
Learn more here


OK