Military personnel as a share of total population in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Military personnel as a share of total population was 0.2% in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
0.2%
Change on year
down 2.7%
World rank
102nd
of 194 countries
All-time high
10.3%
in 1945
All-time low
0.2%
in 2020
Years of data
206
1816–2022
Military personnel as a share of total population in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 1816–2022
Source: Correlates of War - National Material Capabilities Version 7.0 (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland recorded 0.2% for military personnel as a share of total population in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.7% on the previous year and down 20.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military personnel as a share of total population in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland peaked at 10.3% in 1945 and was at its lowest, 0.2%, in 2020.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 102nd of 194 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Military personnel as a share of total population in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1816 | 1.3% | — |
| 1817 | 1.0% | -26.6% |
| 1818 | 0.9% | -10.3% |
| 1819 | 0.7% | -18.5% |
| 1820 | 0.7% | -0.7% |
| 1821 | 0.7% | -5.0% |
| 1822 | 0.6% | -11.5% |
| 1823 | 0.6% | -1.5% |
| 1824 | 0.6% | +4.1% |
| 1825 | 0.6% | -1.4% |
| 1826 | 0.7% | +11.4% |
| 1827 | 0.7% | +2.7% |
| 1828 | 0.7% | -1.4% |
| 1829 | 0.6% | -5.8% |
| 1830 | 0.6% | -6.6% |
| 1831 | 0.6% | +5.7% |
| 1832 | 0.6% | -4.3% |
| 1833 | 0.6% | -1.6% |
| 1834 | 0.6% | -5.9% |
| 1835 | 0.5% | -1.8% |
| 1836 | 0.6% | +4.4% |
| 1837 | 0.6% | -1.3% |
| 1838 | 0.6% | +7.3% |
| 1839 | 0.6% | +1.4% |
| 1840 | 0.6% | +4.5% |
| 1841 | 0.6% | +2.0% |
| 1842 | 0.7% | +5.4% |
| 1843 | 0.6% | -14.9% |
| 1844 | 0.7% | +15.9% |
| 1845 | 0.6% | -4.7% |
| 1846 | 0.7% | +6.4% |
| 1847 | 0.7% | +1.2% |
| 1848 | 0.7% | +8.4% |
| 1849 | 0.7% | -2.0% |
| 1850 | 0.7% | -0.3% |
| 1851 | 0.7% | -1.0% |
| 1852 | 0.7% | +1.3% |
| 1853 | 0.8% | +5.6% |
| 1854 | 0.8% | +9.4% |
| 1855 | 1.2% | +39.8% |
| 1856 | 1.4% | +15.3% |
| 1857 | 1.0% | -29.2% |
| 1858 | 1.0% | +6.6% |
| 1859 | 1.1% | +7.1% |
| 1860 | 1.2% | +9.4% |
| 1861 | 1.1% | -9.6% |
| 1862 | 1.0% | -4.4% |
| 1863 | 1.1% | +1.5% |
| 1864 | 1.0% | -7.7% |
| 1865 | 1.0% | +1.2% |
| 1866 | 0.9% | -4.1% |
| 1867 | 0.9% | -1.9% |
| 1868 | 0.9% | -2.3% |
| 1869 | 0.9% | -4.1% |
| 1870 | 0.8% | -5.7% |
| 1871 | 0.8% | -7.1% |
| 1872 | 0.8% | +4.3% |
| 1873 | 0.8% | -1.7% |
| 1874 | 0.8% | -2.6% |
| 1875 | 0.7% | -2.2% |
| 1876 | 0.7% | -1.5% |
| 1877 | 0.7% | +1.7% |
| 1878 | 0.8% | +2.9% |
| 1879 | 0.8% | -1.4% |
| 1880 | 0.7% | -5.5% |
| 1881 | 0.7% | -1.3% |
| 1882 | 0.7% | -0.8% |
| 1883 | 0.7% | -3.9% |
| 1884 | 0.7% | -0.4% |
| 1885 | 0.7% | +5.8% |
| 1886 | 0.7% | +2.7% |
| 1887 | 0.7% | +2.2% |
| 1888 | 0.7% | -0.8% |
| 1889 | 0.7% | -0.1% |
| 1890 | 0.7% | +0.3% |
| 1891 | 0.7% | +0.2% |
| 1892 | 0.8% | +1.6% |
| 1893 | 0.8% | +1.1% |
| 1894 | 0.8% | +1.7% |
| 1895 | 0.8% | +1.4% |
| 1896 | 0.8% | +1.0% |
| 1897 | 0.8% | +0.3% |
| 1898 | 0.8% | +2.7% |
| 1899 | 0.8% | -1.0% |
| 1900 | 1.2% | +45.8% |
| 1901 | 1.3% | +6.0% |
| 1902 | 1.2% | -6.9% |
| 1903 | 1.0% | -15.6% |
| 1904 | 1.0% | -2.5% |
| 1905 | 0.9% | -4.5% |
| 1906 | 0.9% | -3.4% |
| 1907 | 0.8% | -4.7% |
| 1908 | 0.8% | -2.2% |
| 1909 | 0.9% | +3.7% |
| 1910 | 0.8% | -3.2% |
| 1911 | 0.8% | +0.2% |
| 1912 | 1.2% | +38.6% |
| 1913 | 1.2% | +1.4% |
| 1914 | 1.2% | -1.1% |
| 1915 | 9.8% | +749.3% |
| 1917 | 10.2% | +4.3% |
| 1918 | 9.8% | -4.3% |
| 1919 | 3.0% | -69.5% |
| 1920 | 1.3% | -57.1% |
| 1921 | 0.9% | -25.9% |
| 1922 | 0.8% | -12.7% |
| 1923 | 0.8% | -8.9% |
| 1924 | 0.8% | -0.7% |
| 1925 | 0.8% | +1.2% |
| 1926 | 0.8% | -0.7% |
| 1927 | 0.7% | -1.2% |
| 1928 | 0.7% | -2.8% |
| 1929 | 0.7% | -1.7% |
| 1930 | 0.7% | -2.6% |
| 1931 | 0.7% | -0.1% |
| 1932 | 0.7% | -1.2% |
| 1933 | 0.7% | -0.7% |
| 1934 | 0.7% | +0.3% |
| 1935 | 0.7% | +0.5% |
| 1936 | 0.7% | +4.2% |
| 1937 | 0.7% | +3.7% |
| 1938 | 0.8% | +5.0% |
| 1939 | 0.8% | +6.2% |
| 1940 | 2.1% | +156.4% |
| 1941 | 4.8% | +125.5% |
| 1942 | 7.0% | +46.8% |
| 1943 | 8.5% | +21.3% |
| 1944 | 10.0% | +17.7% |
| 1945 | 10.3% | +3.5% |
| 1946 | 4.2% | -59.7% |
| 1947 | 2.6% | -37.0% |
| 1948 | 1.7% | -35.6% |
| 1949 | 1.5% | -9.6% |
| 1950 | 1.4% | -11.0% |
| 1951 | 1.6% | +20.0% |
| 1952 | 1.7% | +5.2% |
| 1953 | 1.7% | -1.1% |
| 1954 | 1.6% | -3.4% |
| 1955 | 1.6% | -3.9% |
| 1956 | 1.5% | -6.3% |
| 1957 | 1.4% | -8.2% |
| 1958 | 1.2% | -12.9% |
| 1959 | 1.1% | -8.5% |
| 1960 | 1.0% | -8.6% |
| 1961 | 0.9% | -9.2% |
| 1962 | 0.9% | -0.9% |
| 1963 | 0.8% | -5.9% |
| 1964 | 0.8% | -4.0% |
| 1965 | 0.8% | -2.9% |
| 1966 | 0.8% | -0.5% |
| 1967 | 0.8% | -0.6% |
| 1968 | 0.7% | -4.0% |
| 1969 | 0.7% | -5.3% |
| 1970 | 0.7% | -0.3% |
| 1971 | 0.7% | -5.6% |
| 1972 | 0.7% | -0.3% |
| 1973 | 0.7% | +1.7% |
| 1974 | 0.6% | -4.8% |
| 1975 | 0.6% | -3.0% |
| 1976 | 0.6% | -3.1% |
| 1977 | 0.6% | -3.2% |
| 1978 | 0.6% | -1.8% |
| 1979 | 0.6% | +1.1% |
| 1980 | 0.6% | +1.7% |
| 1981 | 0.6% | +3.3% |
| 1982 | 0.6% | -1.7% |
| 1983 | 0.6% | -0.7% |
| 1984 | 0.6% | +0.7% |
| 1985 | 0.6% | -0.9% |
| 1986 | 0.6% | -1.2% |
| 1987 | 0.6% | -1.2% |
| 1988 | 0.6% | -1.5% |
| 1989 | 0.6% | -2.2% |
| 1990 | 0.5% | -3.5% |
| 1991 | 0.5% | -2.7% |
| 1992 | 0.5% | -3.0% |
| 1993 | 0.5% | -7.8% |
| 1994 | 0.4% | -5.5% |
| 1995 | 0.4% | -9.7% |
| 1996 | 0.4% | -5.5% |
| 1997 | 0.4% | -0.3% |
| 1998 | 0.4% | -0.8% |
| 1999 | 0.4% | -0.2% |
| 2000 | 0.4% | -2.9% |
| 2001 | 0.4% | -0.9% |
| 2002 | 0.4% | -1.0% |
| 2003 | 0.4% | +1.0% |
| 2004 | 0.3% | -2.3% |
| 2005 | 0.3% | -1.9% |
| 2006 | 0.4% | +4.8% |
| 2007 | 0.3% | -12.5% |
| 2008 | 0.3% | -5.8% |
| 2009 | 0.3% | -12.1% |
| 2010 | 0.3% | +8.7% |
| 2011 | 0.3% | +1.1% |
| 2012 | 0.3% | -2.8% |
| 2013 | 0.3% | -7.3% |
| 2014 | 0.3% | +1.2% |
| 2015 | 0.2% | -6.5% |
| 2016 | 0.2% | -3.1% |
| 2017 | 0.2% | -2.8% |
| 2018 | 0.2% | -1.9% |
| 2019 | 0.2% | -1.9% |
| 2020 | 0.2% | -0.4% |
| 2021 | 0.2% | +2.9% |
| 2022 | 0.2% | -2.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1810s | 1.0% | 0.7% | 1.3% | 4 |
| 1820s | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.7% | 10 |
| 1830s | 0.6% | 0.5% | 0.6% | 10 |
| 1840s | 0.7% | 0.6% | 0.7% | 10 |
| 1850s | 0.9% | 0.7% | 1.4% | 10 |
| 1860s | 1.0% | 0.9% | 1.2% | 10 |
| 1870s | 0.8% | 0.7% | 0.8% | 10 |
| 1880s | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.7% | 10 |
| 1890s | 0.8% | 0.7% | 0.8% | 10 |
| 1900s | 1.0% | 0.8% | 1.3% | 10 |
| 1910s | 4.2% | 0.8% | 10.2% | 9 |
| 1920s | 0.8% | 0.7% | 1.3% | 10 |
| 1930s | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.8% | 10 |
| 1940s | 5.3% | 1.5% | 10.3% | 10 |
| 1950s | 1.5% | 1.1% | 1.7% | 10 |
| 1960s | 0.8% | 0.7% | 1.0% | 10 |
| 1970s | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.7% | 10 |
| 1980s | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.5% | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.4% | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 3 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
More population data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.0706 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.1791 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.1389 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.1791 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 3.21 million people (2100)
- Population density 307.14 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.2% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.169 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.2666 Percent per annum (2030)
All data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland →
Frequently asked questions
- What is military personnel as a share of total population in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Military personnel as a share of total population in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was 0.2% in 2022, according to Correlates of War - National Material Capabilities Version 7.0 (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest military personnel as a share of total population recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 10.3% in 1945.
- What is the lowest military personnel as a share of total population recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.2% in 2020.
- How does United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank for military personnel as a share of total population?
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 102nd out of 194 countries with data for 2022.
- Is military personnel as a share of total population rising or falling in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 20.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from Correlates of War - National Material Capabilities Version 7.0 (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Military personnel as a share of total population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 206 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Ratio of military personnel to total population, expressed as a percentage.