The top 10 largest militaries based on active personnel

The top 10 largest militaries based on active personnel. In 2340 BC, Sargon of Akkad, also known as Sargon the Great, created the world’s first professional military, according to the Warfare History Network. Before Sargon modernized the army, Sumerian cities would function with a series of militias. One change Sargon made was incorporating a phalanx that was six men deep with the men in the first line carrying a rectangular shield. 

Militaries expanded beyond what Sargon did and now exist all over the world. They’re used to defend their respective countries. Out of all the militaries in the world, which is the biggest?

The top 10 largest militaries based on active personnel: 

1. China – 2,000,000
2. India – 1,450,000
3. United States – 1,390,000
4. North Korea – 1,200,000
5. Russia – 850,000
6. Pakistan – 640,000
7. Iran – 575,000
8. South Korea – 555,000
9. Vietnam – 470,000
10. Egypt – 450,000

The top eight most powerful militaries

1. United States 
2. Russia
3. China 
4. India 
5. Japan 
6. South Korea
7. France
8. United Kingdom

The top 10 largest military budgets, in US dollars:

1. United States – 801 billion 
2. China – 293 billion 
3. India – 76.6 billion
4. United Kingdom – 68.4 billion
5. Russia – 65.9 billion
6. France – 56.6 billion
7. Germany – 56 billion 
8. Saudi Arabia – 55.6 billion
9. Japan – 54.1 billion
10. South Korea – 50.2 billion

The top 10 largest militaries based on active personnel and reserves: 

1. Vietnam – 5,482,000
2. South Korea – 3,699,000
3. China – 3,355,000
4. Russian Federation – 3,014,000
5. India – 2,610,550
6. United States – 2,233,050
7. North Korea – 1,880,000
8. Taiwan – 1,820,000
9. Brazil – 1,706,500
10. Pakistan – 1,204,000