Top 10 Countries without Armed Forces

How peaceful should a country be for it not to need any armed forces to protect its territory? Impossible as it may seem in today’s rather chaotic world, there are still some nations that can do away with an army, and still assure its people to live blissfully. The top 10 nations are:


10. American Samoa

Population Count: 55,519

American Samoa

This nation has never had an army or a military group since the day it was founded. All it has is a Maritime Surveillance Unit and a small police force. Aside from its lone Pacific-class patrol boat that it calls the Nafanua, this nation mainly relies on New Zealand for defense.

9. Marshall Islands

Population Count: 56,086

Marshall Islands

This island nation also has a police force and a maritime surveillance unit, but that’s just about it for internal security. Like American Samoa, it also has a Pacific-class patrol boat, called the Lomor. But to defend its territory from outside invasion, they would have to rely on the United States. They have signed an agreement under the Compact of Free Association.

8. Andorra

Population Count: 76,098


Although Andorra has no standing army, it has signed treaties with both France and Spain for defense purposes. Don’t be fooled by its small volunteer army, as they are just good for the pictures and ceremonial functions. Their national police though, are trained in hostage management and counter terrorism.

7. Federated States of Micronesia

Population Count: 101,351

Federated States of Micronesia

Another island nation, Micronesia holds no army, only a group of police forces and a maritime surveillance unit. They also own a patrol boat, which is called the Independence. For defense purposes, they would have to call on the United States. Such a defense treaty was also stated in the Compact of Free Association.

6. Grenada

Population Count: 103,328


After the American-led Invasion of 1983, Grenada has not a standing army to protect its territory. However, they have the Royal Grenada Police force to protect them internally. For national defense, they would have to count on the Caribbean Regional Security System.

5. Kiribati

Population Count: 106,461


Kiribati also has a Maritime Surveillance Unit, a Pacific-class patrol boat, and a police force for internal defense. But in terms of a full-blown national protection, it will have to call on Australia and New Zealand. These two more powerful nations are bounded by a treaty that all three countries have signed.

4. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Population Count: 109,000

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

The police force of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is composed of 94 men and women. The members of the Coast Guard and the Special Service Unit are included in that number as well. Coast guard commanders are also part of the Royal Navy. All of them are responsible for internal security. To defend the nation from outside forces, they will be counting on the Regional Security System.

3. Saint Lucia

Population Count: 185,000

Saint Lucia

If Saint Vincent has a 94-member internal security team, Saint Lucia exceeds that number by 12 personnel. Their 116-member internal security force is distributed among the Coast Guard, Special Service Unit, and the police. They too, are protected by the Caribbean Regional Security System.

2. Solomon Islands

Population Count: 581,344

Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands used to have a parliamentary force. But after a heavy ethnic conflict that the nation failed to resolve, New Zealand, Australia, and other Pacific countries have been summoned to help. Since then, the island nation has seen no need to maintain its own army. But it did retain its police force, Maritime Surveillance Unit, and two Pacific-class patrol boats. They may also call on RAMSI for national defense.

1. Costa Rica

Population Count: 4,713,168

Costa Rica

A fairly large island nation, Costa Rica is defended by no home grown army since 1949. All it has is a public security force, which is responsible for internal security and law enforcement. For national defense purposes, the nation would have to go to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, as well as the United Nations University for Peace.


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