The countries with no army
The top 3 according to 326 votes from people: Costa Rica · Iceland · Panama. (Updated Apr 6, 2024.)
From Costa Rica, which banned its army in its Constitution after the 1948 civil war, and Iceland, without troops since 1869 but a NATO member, to Liechtenstein, Andorra and the small Pacific states: the 21 sovereign countries with no standing armed forces, and what they have instead.
Automatically translated (original in Español). See the original
Top 21
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1
Costa Rica
Article 12 of its Constitution has banned a standing army since 1949, after the civil war; the Public Force handles security.
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2
Iceland
No standing army since 1869, although it is a NATO member with a militarised coast guard.
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3
Panama
Abolished its army in 1990, confirmed by a constitutional change in 1994; it has a police force and air-naval and border services.
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4
Liechtenstein
Abolished its army in 1868 because it was too expensive; one is only allowed in wartime.
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5
Monaco
Gave up its own military in the 17th century; France is responsible for its defence.
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6
Vanuatu
Its police maintains a paramilitary force of about 300, the Vanuatu Mobile Force.
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7
Tuvalu
Has never formed a military; it only has a small police force with a maritime patrol.
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8
Vatican City
The Swiss Guard, which protects the pope, answers to the Holy See rather than to Vatican City.
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9
Andorra
No standing army; Spain and France provide defence under treaty.
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10
Grenada
No standing military since the People's Revolutionary Army was disbanded in 1983, after the US-led invasion.
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11
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
The police maintain two paramilitary forces, a special unit and the coast guard.
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12
Dominica
No standing military since 1981; the police has a special unit and a coast guard.
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13
Federated States of Micronesia
Has never formed a military; the police patrol the sea with three boats.
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14
Mauritius
No standing army since independence in 1968; the police carry out all security functions.
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15
Nauru
Has never formed a military; Australia is responsible for its defence under an informal agreement.
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16
Marshall Islands
Has never formed a military; the police has a maritime patrol unit.
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17
Palau
Has never formed a military; the police has a maritime unit of about 30.
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18
Samoa
Has never formed a military; a small police force with a maritime patrol handles security.
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19
Solomon Islands
No military force since 1946; a relatively large police force handles internal security.
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20
Kiribati
Under Article 126 of its Constitution, the police is the only security force allowed.
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21
Saint Lucia
The police maintain two small paramilitary units; defence relies on the Caribbean Regional Security System.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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Comments (2)
En Costa Rica lo decimos con orgullo: cambiamos soldados por maestros. Cada 1 de diciembre se celebra el Día de la Abolición del Ejército.
Lo de Liechtenstein me encanta: lo disolvieron porque salía demasiado caro. Ojalá todos los motivos fueran tan prácticos.