List of Countries Without An Army, Check the List

Most countries around the world have an army to protect their borders and maintain security. However, there are a few nations that have chosen not to keep a standing military. Instead, they rely on other methods like police forces, defence agreements with other countries, and peaceful foreign policies to ensure safety for their people and stability within their borders.

Why Some Countries Choose not to Have an Army?

The absence of a military in these nations often comes down to a mix of factors:

• Historical Decisions – Some disbanded their armies after wars or political changes to focus on peace and development (e.g., Costa Rica, Panama).
• Small Size & Location – Many are tiny island nations or microstates that rely on bigger allies for protection (e.g., Monaco, Palau).
• Economic Priorities – Maintaining an army is costly, so funds are directed toward health, education, and infrastructure.
• Peace Treaties & Neutrality – Some have agreements with neighboring countries to stay neutral and avoid military conflicts.

List of Countries Without An Army

According to World Population Review, these are the countries and territories without a permanent army, along with how they ensure security:

Country/ Region	Security Management	Defence Support
Andorra	Police forces, treaties	Spain & France
Aruba	Dutch armed forces	Netherlands
Costa Rica	Police, paramilitary	None
Dominica	Police, coast guard	Regional Security System
Grenada	Police, coast guard	Regional Security System
Iceland	Police, coast guard	NATO
Kiribati	Police, maritime patrol	Australia & New Zealand
Liechtenstein	Police, paramilitary	Switzerland
Marshall Islands	Police, small defence units	United States
Mauritius	Police, paramilitary	None
Micronesia	Police, maritime patrol	United States
Monaco	Police, Carabinieri	France
Nauru	Police, small defence units	Australia
Niue	Police	New Zealand
Palau	Police, small defence force	United States
Panama	Police, border forces	None
Samoa	Police	New Zealand
San Marino	Police, paramilitary	Italy
Solomon Islands	Police, maritime patrol	Australia & New Zealand
St. Kitts & Nevis	Police	Regional Security System
St. Lucia	Police, coast guard	Regional Security System
St. Vincent & Grenadines	Police, coast guard	Regional Security System
Turvalu	Police, coast guard	Australia & New Zealand
Vanuata	Police, paramilitary	None
Vatican City	Swiss Guard	Italy

How they Keep their Borders Safe?

Even without armies, these nations still have security through:

• Police and Special Security Units – Handle law enforcement and internal safety.
• Coast Guards – Protect territorial waters for island nations.
• Defence Agreements – Allies like the U.S., France, Australia, and New Zealand step in if needed.
• Regional Security Systems – Cooperative defence arrangements between neighboring countries.

Regional Examples of Countries without an Army

• Pacific Islands – Nations like Kiribati, Tuvalu, Nauru, Palau, and Micronesia rely on Australia, New Zealand, or the U.S. under security pacts.
• European Microstates – Countries like Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City depend on nearby powers for defence.
• Caribbean Nations – Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and St. Kitts & Nevis are part of the Regional Security System for shared protection.
• Unique Cases – Costa Rica and Panama operate without formal defence guarantees, focusing only on police and domestic security.

Key Takeaways

• Most small nations and islands with special agreements do not need armies.
• Money saved on military expenses often goes to development, education, and healthcare.
• These nations prove that peaceful diplomacy and alliances can replace the need for a large military force.