It sounds almost impossible in a world of standing militaries, but more than 20 sovereign nations maintain no army whatsoever. These countries with no army range from wealthy microstates to larger nations that made a deliberate political choice to demilitarize.
Notable Countries with No Standing Army
- Costa Rica — the most famous example, having formally abolished its military in 1948 after a civil war, redirecting the budget toward education and healthcare
- Iceland — has no standing army and relies on NATO membership and a coast guard for security
- Panama — abolished its military in 1990 following the US invasion that removed Manuel Noriega
- Vatican City — has no army, protected instead by the ceremonial Swiss Guard and Italian security cooperation
- Monaco, Liechtenstein, Andorra, and San Marino — European microstates that rely on neighboring countries for defense
- Several Pacific island nations, including Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu
- Grenada and several other small Caribbean states also maintain no standing army
See area and population data for these countries on our Rankings page.
How These Countries Handle Defense
Most countries without an army rely on one of a few strategies: a formal defense agreement with a larger neighbor or alliance (Iceland with NATO, several Pacific nations with the US or Australia), a lightly armed police or coast guard force for internal security, or simply geographic isolation and small size that make a conventional standing military impractical or unnecessary.
Why Costa Rica’s Example Matters
Costa Rica is frequently cited in policy discussions because it is a larger, more populous, and more geopolitically exposed country than most others on this list, yet it has functioned without a standing army for more than 75 years, redirecting significant public spending toward social programs instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What countries have no military at all?
Costa Rica, Panama, Iceland, Vatican City, Monaco, Liechtenstein, and several Pacific and Caribbean island nations maintain no standing army.
How does Costa Rica defend itself without an army?
Costa Rica maintains a police force and coast guard for internal security and relies on international agreements and its neutral international standing rather than a conventional military.
Why did Costa Rica abolish its army?
Costa Rica abolished its military in 1948 following a civil war, redirecting the defense budget toward education and social programs — a decision widely credited with the country’s long-term political stability.
Compare these countries by area and population using our Compare tool.
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