Military Personnel as a Percentage of Population in Australia, 1987-2016

The chart illustrating military personnel as a percentage of the population in Australia from 1987 to 2016 reveals a steady trend with minor fluctuations. Throughout most of the period, the percentage remained consistently at 0.4%, indicating a stable military presence relative to the population. However, from 1999 onward, there was a noticeable decline, with the percentage dropping to 0.3% and eventually to 0.2% in the latter years of the data set. This gradual reduction suggests a strategic shift in defense policy or a decrease in military recruitment and personnel levels. By 2016, the military represented just 0.2% of the total population, highlighting a long-term trend towards a smaller military force within Australia’s demographic context.