The figures, which are smaller than those in last year’s report of the US Department of Defense, reflect a reversion to a previous methodology, not an assessed change in the size of the PLA.
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Number of military personnel in China 2023, by type
In 2023, China's military, the People's Liberation Army (PLA), had around million active-duty military personnel. Together with reserve military and paramilitary groups it had a total force of around million people.
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U.S. Department of Defense. (December 18, 2024). Number of military forces personnel of the Chinese PLA in 2023, by type (in 1,000s) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 26, 2026, from /statistics/1419630/china-military-personnel-by-type/
U.S. Department of Defense. "Number of military forces personnel of the Chinese PLA in 2023, by type (in 1,000s)." Chart. December 18, 2024. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 26, 2026. /statistics/1419630/china-military-personnel-by-type/
U.S. Department of Defense. (2024). Number of military forces personnel of the Chinese PLA in 2023, by type (in 1,000s). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 26, 2026. /statistics/1419630/china-military-personnel-by-type/
U.S. Department of Defense. "Number of Military Forces Personnel of The Chinese Pla in 2023, by Type (in 1,000s)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 18 Dec 2024, /statistics/1419630/china-military-personnel-by-type/
U.S. Department of Defense, Number of military forces personnel of the Chinese PLA in 2023, by type (in 1,000s) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1419630/china-military-personnel-by-type/ (last visited July 26, 2026)
Number of military forces personnel of the Chinese PLA in 2023, by type (in 1,000s) [Graph], U.S. Department of Defense, December 18, 2024. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1419630/china-military-personnel-by-type/
