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

India’s military personnel as a percentage of the population remained low throughout the period, fluctuating between 0.1% and 0.2%. Despite having one of the largest militaries in the world, India's military as a percentage of population is minimized by the country's vast and growing population. Urbanization and rapid economic growth contributed to this, as urban centers expanded, shifting resources from military expansion to urban and social infrastructure.

This steady, low percentage reflects India’s focus on technological advancement in its military rather than expanding personnel, aligning with urbanization trends that emphasize sustainable city planning and development.