The number of military personnel serving in member states of the European Union has declined from approximately 3.4 million people at the end of the Cold War in 1989, to less than two million by 2019. While European Union countries cooperate closely on issues of defense and security, particularly as the vast majority of EU member states are also members of NATO, the current Common Security and Defence Policy of the EU does not amount to a formal military alliance, nor an EU army.
Total annual personnel in the armed forces of European Union member states from 1989 to 2019
Data excludes personnel not on active duty, therefore it underestimates the share of the labor force working for the defense establishment. The cooperation of governments of all countries listed in “The Military Balance” has been sought by IISS and, in many cases, received. However, some data in “The Military Balance” is estimated.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
World Bank. (May 10, 2023). Total annual personnel in the armed forces of European Union member states from 1989 to 2019 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393673/eu-military-defense-total-armed-forces-personnel/
World Bank. "Total annual personnel in the armed forces of European Union member states from 1989 to 2019." Chart. May 10, 2023. Statista. Accessed November 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393673/eu-military-defense-total-armed-forces-personnel/
World Bank. (2023). Total annual personnel in the armed forces of European Union member states from 1989 to 2019. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393673/eu-military-defense-total-armed-forces-personnel/
World Bank. "Total Annual Personnel in The Armed Forces of European Union Member States from 1989 to 2019." Statista, Statista Inc., 10 May 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393673/eu-military-defense-total-armed-forces-personnel/
World Bank, Total annual personnel in the armed forces of European Union member states from 1989 to 2019 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393673/eu-military-defense-total-armed-forces-personnel/ (last visited November 22, 2024)
Total annual personnel in the armed forces of European Union member states from 1989 to 2019 [Graph], World Bank, May 10, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393673/eu-military-defense-total-armed-forces-personnel/
