When discussing military power, the focus often falls on the size of a country’s active-duty forces, advanced weaponry, and the ability to project power beyond its borders.
However, an often overlooked yet crucial component of national defence is the reserve military force. These are the individuals who, while not on active duty, are trained and ready to be called upon in times of need.
These reserves are important as they serve as a backup defence and can help expand military operations when needed.
Countries worldwide maintain reserve forces, but the size, structure, and utilization vary significantly depending on geopolitical considerations, historical experiences, and national defence policies.
According to a recent index by Global Firepower, which ranks 145 countries based on their reserve military manpower, Egypt stands at the 15th position with a reserve force of 480,000 personnel. Morocco is second in Africa, with 150,000 reserve troops, placing it at the 32nd globally.
The report further reveals that South Africa has one of the lowest reserve military manpower figures, with only 29,350 personnel. This places the country at 71st globally among the nations surveyed.
Below are African countries with low reserve military manpower:
| Rank | Country | Reserve personnel | Global rank |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
South Africa |
29,350 |
71st |
|
2 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
31,000 |
69th |
|
3 |
Mauritania |
66,000 |
51st |
|
4 |
Tanzania |
80,000 |
48th |