Is there any country in the world that doesn’t have an army?

Elizabeth Smith

26 April 2024

It seems incredible to many, yet there are countries in the world that do not have an army. They don’t have it for various reasons. In reality, there are quite a few of these countries and we will now reveal which ones they are. Some have never had it, while others have gradually lost it.

And then there are other countries that would be equipped with special bodies, such as those of the navy, which in some cases would not be considered real armies.

These would be countries such as the Federated States of Micronesia, or Palau, in Polynesia, which would not have an army since they previously belonged to other states from which they managed to become independent. And then there are other nations such as Haiti and Grenada, in the Caribbean, which previously had an army and have gradually eliminated it.

Table of Contents

The countries without an army in 2024

There are 24 states without armed forces. In some, the defense of the state is entrusted to other nations. Here is the list:

Europe

Andorra, which is defended by Spain and France;

Iceland, which however is part of NATO;

Liechtenstein, which abolished the armed forces in 1868 due to too high costs and is defended by Switzerland;

Principality of Monaco, which is defended by France;

the Vatican whose Swiss guards have the sole task of protecting the figure of the Pope.

Central America

Costa Rica, a notoriously pacifist country and home to the United Nations University of Peace;

Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia and Saint Kitts & Nevis, which have their own armies but only for internal use;

Dominica, since 1981;

Grenada which has been without an army since it was invaded by the USA in 1983;

Panama, since 1990;

Haiti, since 1995.

Oceania

Marshall Islands, Palau and Micronesia are defended by the US;

Nauru from Australia;

Samoa from New Zealand;

The Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Vanuatu do not have defense treaties with any nation.

Africa

Here Mauritius is the only state without armed forces.

Asia

Here no nation is without an army.

Why these countries don’t have an army

In conclusion, the existence of countries without standing armies is a unique phenomenon that often reflects a combination of historical, geopolitical, and economic factors. While some nations have never had a military force and rely on other means for defense, others have intentionally disbanded their armies or rely on the protection of allied nations.

The list of these countries, which spans across different continents, demonstrates diverse approaches to national security and highlights the complexities of global defense strategies.

From the Pacific islands defended by larger powers to the European microstates entrusted to neighboring countries, each case underscores the varied paths to sovereignty and security in the modern world. As we reflect on these nations without armies in 2024, it prompts us to consider the evolving nature of warfare, diplomacy, and the pursuit of peace on a global scale.