10 Countries in the World With No Military or Armed Forces

The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has shown the importance of having a standing military in a sovereign country. It is however surprising that despite the importance most countries place upon their militaries they are still few countries in the world with no military or armed forces.

Some of these countries have not had a military institution since it was founded, some underwent a process of demilitarisation, and rely on other countries for their defence.

1. Andorra

Andorra, officially known as the Principality of Andorra, is a small country in Europe. It is the sixth smallest state in Europe, with an estimated population of  77,006. Andorra is one of the countries with no military or Armed force but has signed treaties with Spain and France for its protection. It also has a small volunteer army which is purely ceremonial in function. The paramilitary GIPA special forces unit (trained in counter-terrorism and hostage rescue) is part of the national police.

2. Dominica

Dominica is an island country in the Caribbean, officially known as the Commonwealth of Dominica. The country with an estimated population of  71,293 is one of the countries in the world with no military or armed forces after it underwent a process of demilitarisation in 1981.

The country however has special forces unit and a coast guard within its Police Force. Defence is the responsibility of the Regional Security System. In the event of war or other emergencies, the police force can act as a military force if proclaimed so by the authorities.

3. Vatican City

Vatican City is an independent city-state and enclave surrounded by Rome, Italy. It is the smallest state in the world by both area and population. The Holy City is one of the countries in the world with no military or Armed Forces. It maintains a Gendarmerie Corps for internal policing and the Pontifical Swiss Guard, an armed unit to protect the pope. Although The Vatican has no defence treaty with Italy, the Italian Armed Forces informally protect Vatican City.

Read More:

• Top 10 Countries With The Most Billionaires (2022)
• The Most Populated Countries in Africa (2022)
• 10 Most Populated Country in the World 2022

4. Grenada

Grenada is an island country in the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea. It is one of the few countries in the world with no military or armed forces after the disbandment of the People’s Revolutionary Army in 1983. The country however maintains a paramilitary special service unit within its Police Force for internal security purposes. Defence is the responsibility of the Regional Security System.

5. Samoa

Samoa is a Polynesian island country consisting of two main islands (Savai’i and Upolu); two smaller, inhabited islands (Manono and Apolima); and several smaller, uninhabited islands. Since the country was founded in 9162, no military has been formed. There is however a small police force and a Maritime Surveillance Unit for internal security. The Maritime Surveillance Unit is equipped with small arms and maintains a Pacific-class patrol boat.

6. The Marshall Islands

The Republic of the Marshall Islands is an independent island country near the Equator in the Pacific Ocean. Just like Samoa, The Marshall islands have not established any military since it was founded.  According to Wikipedia, The island defence is the responsibility of the United States. The country however maintains a small police force, which includes a Maritime Surveillance Unit for internal security. The Maritime Surveillance Unit carries small arms and maintains one Pacific-class patrol boat

7. Iceland

Iceland is an island country in the North Atlantic Ocean and the most sparsely populated country in Europe. The country has not had a standing army since 1869 but is an active member of NATO. It also had a defence agreement with the United States, which maintained an Iceland Defense Force and a military base in the country from 1951 to 2006. It also maintains a military expeditionary peacekeeping force, an air defence system, an extensive militarised coast guard, a police service, and a police tactical unit.

8. Costa Rica

The Republic of Costa Rica is a country in Central America with an estimated population of around five million. It is one of the few countries in the world with no military or armed forces, after abolishing its army in 1949. (The first country in Latin America to do so) The country however has limited military capacities with its Public Forces which have both police and defence functions and had taken part in military operations since 1949.

9. Panama

Just like Costa Rica, Panama abolished its army in 1990, making it one of the few countries in the world with no military or armed forces. The country however maintains armed police and internal security forces, and small air and maritime forces. They are tasked with law enforcement and can perform limited military actions. Since 2010 they have reported to the Ministry of Public Security.

10. Mauritius

The Republic of Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean. It is one of the few countries in the world with no military or armed forces,  as it has not had a standing army since 1968. All military, police, and security functions are carried out by 10,000 active duty personnel under the command of the Commissioner of Police

The 8,000-member National Police Force is responsible for domestic law enforcement. There is also a 1,500-member Special Mobile Force, and a 500-member National Coast Guard, which are paramilitary units with small arms.