List of countries without armed forces,

This is a list of countries without armed forces. The term "country" is used in the sense of independent state; thus, it applies only to sovereign states and not dependencies, whose defense is the responsibility of another country or an army alternative. The term "armed forces" refers to any government-sponsored defense used to further the domestic and foreign policies of their respective government. Some of the countries listed, such as Iceland and Monaco, have no armies, but still have a non-police military force.





Many of the 21 countries listed here typically have had a long-standing agreement with a former occupying country; one example is the agreement between Monaco and France, which has existed for at least 300 years. Monaco, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau have no say in their respective country's defense matters, and have little say in international relations. For example, when Micronesia negotiated a defensive agreement with the United States, it did so from a weak position because it had grown heavily dependent on American assistance. Andorra can request defensive aid if necessary, while Iceland had a unique agreement with the United States that lasted until 2006, which required them to provide defense to Iceland when needed. The remaining countries are responsible for their own defense, and operate either without any armed forces, or with limited armed forces. Some of the countries, such as Costa Rica, Dominica, and Grenada, underwent a process of demilitarization. Other countries were formed without armed forces, such as Andorra over 700 years ago; the primary reason being that they were, or still are, under protection from another nation at their point of independence. All of the countries on this list are considered to be in a situation of "non-militarization."

Country Comments References
Andorra Defense of the country is the responsibility of France and Spain. Similar treaties were made with both nations on June 3, 1993.
Costa Rica Costa Rica was the first country to formally abolish military forces. The constitution has forbidden a standing military since 1949. Seat of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the United Nations' University for Peace.
Dominica Has not had a standing army since 1981 due to an attempted army coup. Defense is the responsibility of the Regional Security System.
Grenada Has not had a standing army since 1983 due to an American-led invasion. Defense is the responsibility of the Regional Security System.
Haiti Haiti's military disbanded in June 1995, but rebels have demanded its re-establishment. The 9,000 strong Haitian National Police maintains some paramilitary units; these units are considered to be larger than what is required, considering the much smaller militaries of some neighboring countries.
Kiribati The only forces permitted are the police and the coast guard. Defense assistance is provided by Australia and New Zealand.
Liechtenstein Abolished their army in 1868 because it was deemed too costly. Army is only permitted in times of war, but this situation has never occurred. According to the CIA World Factbook, defense is the responsibility of Switzerland. However, official sources of both Switzerland and Liechtenstein do not provide any backing to this claim and no defense treaty is ever mentioned.
Marshall Islands Defense is the responsibility of the United States.
Mauritius Has had a paramilitary police force and coast guard since 1968.
Federated States of Micronesia Defense is the responsibility of the United States. Maintains a small paramilitary police force.
Nauru Australia is responsible for Nauru's defence under an informal agreement between the two countries.
Palau Defense is the responsibility of the United States.
Saint Lucia A special service unit is maintained for internal purposes. Defense is the responsibility of Regional Security System.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines A special service unit is maintained for internal purposes. Defense is the responsibility of Regional Security System.
Samoa Does not have a standing army. New Zealand can be called upon for military aid per a 1962 agreement.
Solomon Islands Had a heavy ethnic conflict between 1998 and 2006, in which Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific countries intervened to restore peace and order. Has no standing army.
Tuvalu Has no army, but its police force includes a Maritime Surveillance Unit.
Vatican City Maintains a Gendarmerie Corps for internal policing. The Swiss Guard is a unit belonging to the Holy See, not the Vatican City State. There is no defense treaty with Italy, as it would violate the Vatican's neutrality. The Palatine Guard and Noble Guard were abolished in 1970.

List of countries without an army,