Ukraine Among Top 10 Armies in the World by Size: Who Else Leads the Ranking?

Ukraine entered the top ten countries with the largest armies in the world in 2026. According to IISS, the number of Ukrainian military personnel is about 677 thousand people. Find out which countries also made the list, as well as who leads the ranking of the largest armies in the world

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The size of the army remains one of the key indicators of the military power of a state. Despite the rapid development of military technology, it is people - from commanders to soldiers on the front lines - who determine the scale and potential of the armed forces.

Analysts regularly compare the military resources of different countries to understand which states have the largest armies and how the balance of power in the world is changing.

In particular, Business Insider analyzed the data of the report The Military Balance 2026, prepared by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). Based on this study, a ranking of countries by the number of active military personnel was formed, as well as a comparison of their defense budgets for 2025.

Below we tell you which states have the largest armies in the world and what place does Ukraine occupy in this list.

What place did the Armed Forces of Ukraine occupy in the ranking of the largest armies in the world?

According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), in 2026 the Ukrainian army ranked 6th in the world in terms of active personnel.

The number of active Armed Forces of Ukraine is approximately 677 thousand servicemen.

The country's military budget is estimated at approximately $ 44.4 billion.

The significant increase in the size of the Ukrainian army is associated with the full-scale war that began after the Russian invasion in 2022. Since then, Ukraine has significantly expanded its mobilization resources and defense capabilities.

Read this article to learn what role the army plays in the war and why their contribution is crucial.

Top 10 largest armies in the world in 2026

In general, the ranking of the largest armies in the world by the number of active military personnel in 2026 looks like this:

1st place – China

Number of soldiers: 2,035,000 people.

Defense budget - about $ 251.3 billion.

2nd place – India

Number of soldiers: 1,501,000 people.

Defense budget - about $ 78.3 billion.

3rd place – USA

Number of soldiers: 1,340,000 people.

Defense budget - about $ 921 billion.

4th place – North Korea

Number of soldiers: 1,280,000 people.

Official data on the defense budget is not disclosed.

5th place – Russia

Number of troops: 1,264,000 people.

Defense budget – about $161.2 billion.

6th place – Ukraine

Number of troops: 677,000 people.

Defense budget – about $44.4 billion.

7th place – Pakistan

Number of troops: 660,000 people.

Defense budget – about $10 billion.

8th place – Iran

Number of troops: 610,000 people.

Defense budget – about $6.1 billion.

9th place – Ethiopia

Number of troops: 503,000 people.

Defense budget – about $484 million.

10th place – South Korea

Number of troops: 450,000 people.

The defense budget is about $43.8 billion.

The list also includes Vietnam, Egypt, Indonesia, Brazil, Thailand, Turkey, Eritrea, Mexico, Colombia, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Japan, France, Morocco and Iraq.

It is worth noting that the size of the defense budget does not always directly correspond to the size of the army. For example, the United States has the largest military spending in the world, significantly ahead of other countries, while some states with large armies spend much less on defense. This is explained by the difference in the cost of technology, equipment of troops, level of training and the scale of military programs.

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What determines the military strength of a state?

Experts emphasize that the number of military personnel is only one of the factors in assessing military power. Active personnel usually include all military personnel who are on duty: soldiers, pilots, sailors, military special operations units and marines.

It is the number of trained personnel that often plays an important role in conducting military operations. In particular, ground operations depend to a large extent on the number of troops, since a large number of military personnel are needed to hold positions, control territories and conduct prolonged hostilities.

At the same time, other factors also affect the real military capability of a state: the level of military training, modern weapons, the development of military technologies, the capabilities of aviation and the fleet, as well as the effectiveness of command and control systems.

Read the link to find out which countries can become a safe haven for people in the event of a global war.

The role of reservists in the military power of countries

In addition to active personnel, reservists are an important element of the state's military power. In many countries, their number can significantly exceed the number of regular armies. For example, Vietnam has one of the largest reserves in the world - about 5 million people.

However, experts note that the real effectiveness of reserve forces can vary significantly. In some cases, people who have not undergone military training for many years are enrolled in the reserve, so their combat readiness may be limited.

Interesting facts about the largest armies in the world

The study also shows several interesting features of the global military balance:

- China has the largest army in the world - over 2 million military personnel.

- The United States has the largest defense budget in the world - over 900 billion dollars.

- North Korea has one of the largest armies relative to the population.

- South Korea maintains a powerful reserve - over 3 million reservists.

In some countries, such as Pakistan or Iran, paramilitary formations also play a significant role.

The growth of the number of armies in different countries of the world demonstrates that states continue to actively invest in their security against the backdrop of global instability. Although modern warfare is increasingly dependent on technology, it is the trained personnel that remain the basis of the defense capability of any country.

Ukraine, which has been resisting full-scale aggression for several years, was able to significantly strengthen its Armed Forces and enter the top ten largest armies in the world. This indicates the scale of the state's mobilization resources and the high level of priority given to defense.

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Recall! In 2026, Ukraine took 20th place in the global ranking of military power among 145 countries according to Global Firepower. The study evaluates armies not by a single indicator, but by a comprehensive system that takes into account both military resources and the economic capabilities of the state. We told you earlier how the rating was formed, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of our state.

Photo – Freepik.com

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