Military

The Military With the Largest Arsenal of Guns

24/7 Wall St. Staff

Published: May 7, 2024 11:10 am

On December 22, 2023, President Joe Biden signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law, which released a massive $886 billion to the Defense Department. The National Defense Authorization is an annual piece of legislation that must pass through Congress. It funds any military related costs including purchasing and maintaining firearms.

There are 177 countries in the world and according to the latest available comparable data, there are at least 133 million military firearms spread amongst them. These firearms are not only a leading tool of conflict and violence, as exemplified by the current war between Russia and Ukraine, but they also make up the largest pool of centrally controlled weapons stockpiles.

The top 30 countries with the biggest military weapons stockpiles, which together have a population of 2 billion people, had 7.3 million armed forces personnel in 2019. These countries spent $399 billion on their defense budgets in 2020. (This is every firearm currently used by the U.S. military.)

Although the United States leads the world by a long shot in how much it spends on defense, it is not among the countries with the most military firearms per troop. By that measure, it ranks 54th. Still, the U.S. leads the world, by a very long shot, in the number of civilian firearms and civilian firearms per civilian. Surprisingly, there are more civilian-owned firearms than military-owned firearms in the world. (These are countries with the most gun deaths per capita.)

24/7 Wall St. reviewed 2017 military-owned firearms data from Small Arms Survey, an international firearms-monitoring organization to identify the militaries that possess the largest arsenal of guns. We used the 2019 troop count, which includes paramilitary forces, from the World Bank to rank nearly 160 countries by the estimated number of military-owned firearms per enlisted troop. Troop counts as a percentage of the workforce, population figures, and military spending in current U.S. dollars and as a share of gross domestic product are also from the World Bank. The data used is the most recent available data.

Why This Matters

Source: Michele Ursi / Shutterstock.com

Which each country’s commitment to their own national defense, the global arms sector is a massive industry. Billions of dollars go into annual defense contracts with industry giants such as Lockheed Martin, RTX Corp,  AVIC, BAE Systems, and China South. Among the 30 countries with the largest arsenal of weapons per troop, China leads in spending with a $252 billion budget in 2020. Russia, Israel, and Singapore spent between $10.9 billion and $61.7 billion each. The countries that spent the largest share of their GDP on their military, more than 4%, in 2020 are Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. We’re covering the military with the largest arsenal of guns to help you understand the wide-ranging affect the arms industry has on the global economy.

Here is the military with the largest arsenal of guns:

30. Kazakhstan

Source: Kyrylo Neiezhmakov / iStock via Getty Images

• Est. military-owned firearms: 5.3 per troop (375,690 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 71,000 (0.8% of labor force)

Kazakhstan’s 2020 annual military spending was $1.7 billion –  which was 1.1% of their GDP. Kazakhstan is located in Central Asia and had a population of  19,002,586 citizens in 2021.

29. Estonia

Source: KavalenkavaVolha / Getty Images

• Est. military-owned firearms: 5.5 per troop (38,760 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 7,000 (1.0% of labor force)

Estonia’s spent $701.0 million on their military in 2020. That accounted for 2.3% of their GDP. Estonia is located in Northern Europe and had a population of 1,329,254 citizens in 2021.

28. North Korea

Source: alexkuehni / iStock via Getty Images

• Est. military-owned firearms: 5.7 per troop (8,363,100 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 1,469,000 (8.7% of labor force)

North Korea is located in Eastern Asia and had a population of 25,887,045 citizens in 2021.

27. Israel

Source: Nancy Anderson / iStock via Getty Images

• Est. military-owned firearms: 5.7 per troop (1,016,900 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 178,000 (4.3% of labor force)

Israel’s annual military spending in 2020 was $21.7 billion –  which was 5.6% of their GDP. Israel is located in Western Asia and reported a population of 9,364,000 citizens in 2021.

26. Ecuador

Source: AlanFalcony / iStock via Getty Images

• Est. military-owned firearms: 6.0 per troop (253,668 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 42,000 (0.5% of labor force)

Ecuador’s annual military spending in 2020 was $2.2 billion –  which was 2.4% of their GDP. Ecuador is located in South America and reported a population of 17,888,474 citizens in 2021.

25. Cyprus

Source: mildswearwords / Flickr

• Est. military-owned firearms: 6.2 per troop (99,000 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 16,000 (2.5% of labor force)

Cyprus’s annual military spending in 2020 was $418.8 million –  which was 1.8% of their GDP. Cyprus is located in Western Asia and reported a population of 1,215,588 citizens in 2021.

24. Czech Republic

Czech Army 152mm howitzer (CC BY 2.0) by The Joint Multinational Training Command Public Affairs Office

• Est. military-owned firearms: 6.3 per troop (157,233 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 25,000 (0.5% of labor force)

The Czech Republic’s annual military spending in 2020 was $3.3 billion –  which was 1.4% of their GDP. The Czech Republic is located in Eastern Europe and reported a population of 10,703,446 citizens in 2021.

23. Portugal

Source: mtcurado / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

• Est. military-owned firearms: 6.4 per troop (333,640 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 52,000 (1.0% of labor force)

Portugal’s annual military spending in 2020 was $4.6 billion –  which was 2.1% of their GDP. Portugal is located in Southern Europe and reported a population of 10,299,423 citizens in 2021.

22. Azerbaijan

Source: Handout / Getty Images

• Est. military-owned firearms: 6.6 per troop (537,920 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 82,000 (1.6% of labor force)

Azerbaijan’s annual military spending in 2020 was $2.2 billion –  which was 5.4% of their GDP. Azerbaijan is located in Western Asia and reported a population of 10,145,212 citizens in 2021.

21. Argentina

Source: nickalbi / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• Est. military-owned firearms: 6.6 per troop (679,770 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 103,000 (0.5% of labor force)

Argentina’s annual military spending in 2020 was $2.9 billion –  which was 0.8% of their GDP. Argentina is located in South America and reported a population of 45,808,747 citizens in 2021.

20. Tanzania

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Est. military-owned firearms: 6.8 per troop (190,050 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 28,000 (0.1% of labor force)

Tanzania’s annual military spending in 2020 was $659.3 million –  which was 1.0% of their GDP. Tanzania is located in Eastern Africa and reported a population of 61,498,438 citizens in 2021.

19. Kyrgyzstan

Source: Collab Media / Getty Images

• Est. military-owned firearms: 6.9 per troop (145,010 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 21,000 (0.8% of labor force)

Kyrgyzstan’s annual military spending in 2020 was $127.5 million –  which was 1.8% of their GDP. Kyrgyzstan is located in Central Asia and reported a population of 6,694,200 citizens in 2021.

18. Vietnam

Source: SamuelBrownNG / iStock via Getty Images

• Est. military-owned firearms: 7.3 per troop (3,829,200 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 522,000 (0.9% of labor force)

Vietnam is located in South-eastern Asia and reported a population of 98,168,829 citizens in 2021.

17. Paraguay

Source: mtcurado / iStock via Getty Images

• Est. military-owned firearms: 8.1 per troop (235,780 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 29,000 (0.8% of labor force)

Paraguay’s annual military spending in 2020 was $364.3 million –  which was 1.0% of their GDP. Paraguay is located in South America and reported a population of 7,219,641 citizens in 2021.

16. Denmark

Source: frankix / Getty Images

• Est. military-owned firearms: 8.3 per troop (124,120 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 15,000 (0.5% of labor force)

Denmark’s annual military spending in 2020 was $5.0 billion –  which was 1.4% of their GDP. Denmark is located in Northern Europe and reported a population of 5,856,733 citizens in 2021.

15. Sweden

Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images

• Est. military-owned firearms: 9.3 per troop (139,180 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 15,000 (0.3% of labor force)

Sweden’s annual military spending in 2020 was $6.5 billion –  which was 1.2% of their GDP. Sweden is located in Northern Europe and reported a population of 10,415,811 citizens in 2021.

14. Singapore

Source: Joshelerry / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• Est. military-owned firearms: 9.7 per troop (574,140 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 59,000 (1.7% of labor force)

Singapore’s annual military spending in 2020 was $10.9 billion –  which was 3.2% of their GDP. Singapore is located in South-eastern Asia and reported a population of 5,453,566 citizens in 2021.

13. Armenia

Source: Ozbalci / iStock via Getty Images

• Est. military-owned firearms: 10.4 per troop (509,240 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 49,000 (3.9% of labor force)

Armenia’s annual military spending in 2020 was $634.0 million –  which was 4.9% of their GDP. Armenia is located in Western Asia and reported a population of 2,968,128 citizens in 2021.

12. China

Source: Bumble Dee / Shutterstock.com

• Est. military-owned firearms: 10.8 per troop (27,466,400 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 2,535,000 (0.3% of labor force)

China’s annual military spending in 2020 was $252.3 billion –  which was 1.7% of their GDP. China is located in Eastern Asia and reported a population of 1,412,360,000 citizens in 2021.

11. Austria

Source: RudyBalasko / iStock via Getty Images

• Est. military-owned firearms: 10.9 per troop (240,880 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 22,000 (0.5% of labor force)

Austria’s annual military spending in 2020 was $3.6 billion –  which was 0.8% of their GDP. Austria is located in Western Europe and reported a population of 8,956,279 citizens in 2021.

10. Nicaragua

Source: dimarik / iStock via Getty Images

• Est. military-owned firearms: 11.4 per troop (136,800 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 12,000 (0.4% of labor force)

Nicaragua’s annual military spending in 2020 was $78.0 million –  which was 0.7% of their GDP. Nicaragua is located in Central America and reported a population of 6,702,379 citizens in 2021.

9. Serbia

Source: vladimir_n / Getty Images

• Est. military-owned firearms: 12.0 per troop (384,422 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 32,000 (1.0% of labor force)

Serbia’s annual military spending in 2020 was $1.1 billion –  which was 2.1% of their GDP. Serbia is located in Southern Europe and reported a population of 6,844,078 citizens in 2021.

8. Cuba

Source: PhotosByByron / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• Est. military-owned firearms: 12.6 per troop (958,100 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 76,000 (1.4% of labor force)

Cuba is located in the Caribbean and reported a population of 11,317,498 citizens in 2021.

7. Switzerland

Source: hxyume / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

• Est. military-owned firearms: 16.2 per troop (324,484 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 20,000 (0.4% of labor force)

Switzerland’s annual military spending in 2020 was $5.7 billion –  which was 0.8% of their GDP. Switzerland is located in Western Europe and reported a population of 8,697,723 citizens in 2021.

6. Moldova

Source: Military vehicles Chisinau Moldova by amanderson2 / PDM 1.0 (https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0//)

• Est. military-owned firearms: 16.4 per troop (98,600 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 6,000 (0.6% of labor force)

Moldova’s annual military spending in 2020 was $44.5 million –  which was 0.4% of their GDP. Moldova is located in Eastern Europe and reported a population of 2,573,928 citizens in 2021.

5. Finland

Source: sagesolar / Flickr

• Est. military-owned firearms: 17.6 per troop (475,030 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 27,000 (1.0% of labor force)

Finland’s annual military spending in 2020 was $4.1 billion –  which was 1.5% of their GDP. Finland is located in Northern Europe and reported a population of 5,541,696 citizens in 2021.

4. Mongolia

Source: Military marching opening ceremony Naadam Ulaanbaatar Mongolia by amanderson2 / BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)

• Est. military-owned firearms: 18.0 per troop (323,400 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 18,000 (1.3% of labor force)

Mongolia’s annual military spending in 2020 was $112.2 million –  which was 0.8% of their GDP. Mongolia is located in Eastern Asia and reported a population of 3,329,282 citizens in 2021.

3. Slovenia

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Est. military-owned firearms: 18.8 per troop (131,686 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 7,000 (0.7% of labor force)

Slovenia’s annual military spending in 2020 was $574.8 million –  which was 1.1% of their GDP. Slovenia is located in Southern Europe and reported a population of 2,107,007 citizens in 2021.

2. Russian Federation

Source: Dmitry Shchukin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• Est. military-owned firearms: 20.8 per troop (30,272,900 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 1,454,000 (2.0% of labor force)

The Russian Federation’s annual military spending in 2020 was $61.7 –  which was 4.3% of their GDP. The Russian Federation is located in Eastern Europe and reported a population of 143,446,060 citizens in 2021.

1. Ukraine

Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in hoisting the State Flag of Ukraine in liberated Kherson. by President Of Ukraine / CC0 1.0 (https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)

• Est. military-owned firearms: 21.2 per troop (6,600,000 total)
• Est. military personnel (incl. paramilitary troops), 2019: 311,000 (1.5% of labor force)

Ukraine’s annual military spending in 2020 was $5.9 billion –  which was 4.1% of their GDP. Ukraine is located in Eastern Europe and reported a population of 43,814,581 citizens in 2021.