Accredited official statistics

Quarterly service personnel statistics 1 April 2023

Updated 14 December 2023

© Crown copyright 2023

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2023/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-1-april-2023

This publication provides information on the number of Military Personnel (defined as the Strength), joining (Intake) and leaving (Outflow) the UK Armed Forces. Detail is provided for both the Full-Time Armed Forces (AF) and Reserves. Further statistics can be found in the Excel tables.

The historic trends in Reserve personnel numbers in this report relate to the targets outlined in the Future Reserves 2020 (FR20) programme.

Following the Integrated Review and Spending Review the previous future workforce requirements for the Armed Forces are no longer applicable. A Written Ministerial Statement is being prepared to announce the introduction of an Indicative Planned Strength figure for the Armed Forces Regular Full-Time Trade Trained Strength in the future.

Some of the statistics previously published in the following publications can now be found in this release:

▼188,820 Strength of UK Forces Service Personnel
at 1 April 2023
A decrease of 7,430 (3.8 per cent) since 1 April 2022
▼133,570 Full-Time Trained Strength (RN/RM & RAF) and Full-Time Trade Trained Strength (Army)
at 1 April 2023
A decrease of 3,260 (2.4 per cent) since 1 April 2022
▼11,090 People joined the UK Regular Armed Forces
in the past 12 months (1 April 2022 - 31 March 2023)
A decrease of 2,260 (17.0 per cent) compared with the previous 12 month period
▲16,510 People left the UK Regular Armed Forces
in the past 12 months (1 April 2022 - 31 March 2023)
An increase of 1,880 (12.8 per cent) compared with the previous 12 month period
▼30,360 Strength of the Trained Future Reserves 2020
at 1 April 2023
A decrease of 1,120 (3.6 per cent) since 1 April 2022
▼3,570 People joined the Future Reserves 2020
in the past 12 months (1 April 2022 - 31 March 2023)
A decrease of 1,200 (25.1 per cent) compared with the previous 12 month period
▼5,630 People left the Future Reserves 2020
in the past 12 months (1 April 2022 - 31 March 2023)
A decrease of 670 (10.6 per cent) compared with the previous 12 month period

Responsible Statistician: Tri-Service Head of Branch

Email: Analysis-Tri-Hd@mod.gov.uk

Further information/mailing list: Analysis-Tri-Service@mod.gov.uk

Would you like to be added to our contact list, so that we can inform you about updates to these statistics and consult you if we are thinking of making changes? You can subscribe to updates by emailing Analysis-Tri-Service@mod.gov.uk.

Background Quality Report: Background Quality Report

2. Introduction

This publication contains information on the Strength, Intake, Outflow and Gains to Trained Strength (GTS) for the UK Armed Forces overall and each of the Services; Royal Navy/Royal Marines (RN/RM), Army and Royal Air Force (RAF).

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) announced on 29 June 2016 that it was changing the definition of Trained Strength for Army to include Phase 1 trained personnel, which affected some Tri-Service totals (see Army Trained Strength in the Policy Background section for more detail). The MOD held a public consultation on SDSR Resilience: Trained strength definition for the Army and resultant changes to Ministry of Defence Armed Forces personnel statistics, between 11 July and 21 January 2017. A consultation response was published on 7 November 2016. The changes outlined in the consultation and response have been incorporated into this publication from the 1 October 2016 edition onwards. This affects statistics in some of the accompanying Excel tables (), specifically tables: 3a, 3e, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b and 7c. Terminology has also been updated in Excel tables 3c and 4.

Detailed statistics, including unrounded figures, and historic time series can be found in the Excel tables. These include quarterly statistics on the number of Service and Civilian Personnel, Separated Service (the proportion of personnel breaching harmony guidelines), Applications to each of the Services and Military Salaries. Historic statistics can be found in the following archived publications:

The glossary contains definitions of terminology used in this publication.

A calendar of upcoming MOD statistical releases can be found on GOV.UK

A National Statistics publication

The United Kingdom Statistics Authority has designated these statistics as National Statistics, in accordance with the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 and signifying compliance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. Designation can be broadly interpreted to mean that the statistics:

  • meet identified user needs
  • are well explained and readily accessible
  • are produced according to sound methods
  • are managed impartially and objectively in the public interest

Once statistics have been designated as National Statistics it is a statutory requirement that the Code of Practice shall continue to be observed.

3. Policy Background

The main factors affecting decisions about the size of the Armed Forces required by the MOD to achieve success in its military tasks include:

  • An assessment of current and future threats to UK national security;
  • The need for contingent / reactive capability – the requirement to be able to respond immediately to domestic or international crisis;
  • Current operational and international obligations (e.g. NATO, UN);
  • Changes in technology, the introduction of new equipment and restructuring that leads to equipment becoming obsolete or surplus to requirements;
  • The need to deliver against the military tasks as efficiently as possible, maintaining a balanced, affordable defence budget.

The Service Personnel Statistics in previous versions of this publication are reported against the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), released in November 2015. Prior to SDSR 2015, publications reported against the planned Future Force 2020, as set out in the SDSR 2010 which planned to reduce the size of the Armed Forces.

3.1 Army Trained Strength

On 29 June 2016, the MOD announced that the Army planned to use Regular and Reserve Phase 1 Trained personnel in response to crises within the UK. Following this, the term ‘Trained Strength’ would include all Army personnel Trained in the core function of their Service (i.e. those who have completed Phase 1 Training). The MOD has consulted on these changes and the resultant impact they will have on this publication and a consultation response was published on 7 October 2016.

From the 1 October 2016 edition onwards, Army personnel who have completed Phase 1 Training (basic Service Training) but not Phase 2 Training (Trade Training), are considered Trained personnel. This change enabled the Army to meet the SDSR 15 commitment to improve support to UK resilience. The Trained Strength definition for the Royal Navy, RAF, Maritime Reserve and RAF Reserves has not changed, reflecting the requirement for their personnel to complete Phase 2 Training to be able to fulfil the core function of their respective Services.

Army personnel who have completed Phase 2 Training are now called ‘Trade Trained’. This population aligns with the old definition of Trained personnel, therefore maintaining the continuity of the statistical time series.

The Army have undertaken a review of training requirements and Royal Engineers Other Ranks personnel joining from 1 July 2019 will become Trade Trained after Initial Trade Training (ITT) and will join the Full-time Trade Trained Strength (FTTTS), and therefore we may see a change in the trend.

3.2 Full-Time Armed Forces Personnel

In order to meet the personnel reduction targets set out in SDSR 2010, the Three Month Exercise (3ME) and Army 2020 (A2020), a redundancy programme coupled with adjusted recruiting (Intake) and contract extensions, were set. The aforementioned redundancy programme is now complete.

On 23 November 2015, MOD published the National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015. SDSR 2015 outlined plans to uplift the size of the Regular Armed Forces, setting targets for a Strength of 82,000 for the Army, and increasing the Royal Navy/Royal Marines and Royal Air Force by a total of 700 personnel. The SDSR 2015 Defence Key Facts booklet announced new targets for 2020 for each of the Services.

3.3 Future Reserves 2020 (FR20) Programme

The Future Reserves 2020 (FR20) programme aimed to increase the size of the Reserve Forces. Further information on the growth of the Reserves can be found in the Policy Background section of previous Monthly Service Personnel Statistics publications.

As a result of the changes to Army Trained Strength (referred to above) and their impact on the Army Reserve, the MOD released a Written Ministerial Statement containing revised Future Reserves 2020 (FR20) Strength growth profiles on 8 November 2016. Reporting of the growth of the Reserves will be based on Strength profiles only.

There has been no formal announcement of new targets beyond 31 March 2019. However, the Ministry of Defence’s recruitment campaign is a long-term programme.

3.4 Reserves Forces 2030 (RF30) Programme

The Reserve Forces 2030 (RF30) Review does not include a target for additional personnel numbers beyond those in the Future Reserves 2020 (FR20) programme.

RF30 builds on the work carried out by FR20; the RF30 Review offers 18 recommendations grouped into four key areas in which the Reserves will need to continue to adapt in order to develop their utility.  These are: redefining the Reserves’ relationship with society; expanding the role of the Reserves; unlocking the potential of reservists; and transforming support to the Reserves.

The Ministry of Defence has established an implementation programme to consider the RF30 recommendations.  A formal response, or responses, to the RF30 Review will follow the RF30 implementation programme’s detailed analysis of the recommendations.

4. UK Service Personnel

Strength is the number of personnel.

UK Regulars are Full-Time Service personnel, including Nursing Services, excluding FTRS personnel, Gurkhas, mobilised Reservists, Military Provost Guarding Service (MPGS), Locally Engaged Personnel (LEP), and Non Regular Permanent Service (NRPS).

Volunteer Reserves voluntarily accept an annual training commitment and are liable to be mobilised to deploy on operations. They can be utilised on a part-time or Full-Time basis to provide support to the Regular Forces at home and overseas.

UK Service Personnel comprise the total Strength of the military personnel employed by the Ministry of Defence (Excel table, Table 1). The current Strength of the UK Armed Forces is 188,820 which includes:

  • All UK Regular personnel and all Gurkha personnel (which combined at 1 April 2023 comprised 77.7 per cent of UK Service Personnel);
  • Volunteer Reserve personnel (which at 1 April 2023 comprised 17.9 per cent of UK Service Personnel);
  • Other Personnel including the Serving Regular Reserve, Sponsored Reserve, Military Provost Guard Service, Locally Engaged Personnel and elements of the Full-Time Reserve Service (FTRS) (which at 1 April 2023 comprised 4.4 per cent of UK Service Personnel).

The total Strength of the UK Forces1 has decreased between 1 April 2022 and 1 April 2023 by 3.8 per cent (7,430 personnel), as shown in Table 1. Compared to 1 April 2022, the Gurkhas Strength has increased, however the UK Regular Forces and Volunteer Reserves have decreased while Other Personnel Strengths have remained constant.

Table 1: Trends in UK Forces Strength1

01-Apr-20 01-Apr-21 01-Apr-22 01-Oct-22 01-Jan-23 01-Apr-23 % Change since 1 Apr 22
UK Forces Personnel 193,980 198,880 196,240 192,300 190,170 188,820 -3.8%
UK Regular Forces 145,320 149,280 147,980 145,270 143,560 142,560 -3.7%
Gurkhas 3,760 4,010 4,110 4,070 4,060 4,180 1.7%
Volunteer Reserve 37,060 37,420 35,860 34,760 34,280 33,790 -5.8%
Other Personnel 7,840 8,170 8,290 8,210 8,260 8,290 0.0%
Royal Navy / Royal Marines 39,050 40,400 40,130 39,410 38,990 38,770 -3.4%
UK Regular Forces 32,760 33,850 33,930 33,390 33,010 32,840 -3.2%
Volunteer Reserve 3,870 4,080 3,810 3,610 3,540 3,460 -9.2%
Other Personnel 2,420 2,480 2,400 2,410 2,440 2,470 3.3%
Army 117,560 120,660 118,240 115,650 114,210 113,440 -4.1%
UK Regular Forces 79,620 82,230 80,730 79,140 78,060 77,540 -4.0%
Gurkhas 3,760 4,010 4,110 4,070 4,060 4,180 1.7%
Volunteer Reserve 29,980 30,040 28,810 27,950 27,570 27,190 -5.6%
Other Personnel 4,200 4,380 4,590 4,490 4,520 4,530 -1.3%
Royal Air Force 37,370 37,810 37,880 37,240 36,970 36,610 -3.4%
UK Regular Forces 32,940 33,200 33,320 32,740 32,490 32,180 -3.4%
Volunteer Reserve 3,200 3,300 3,250 3,200 3,180 3,140 -3.4%
Other Personnel 1,220 1,310 1,310 1,300 1,300 1,290 -1.5%
  1. UK Forces comprises all UK Regular, Gurkha, Volunteer Reserve and Other personnel. The constituents of “Other personnel” are reported towards the top of this page.

5. Full-Time Trained Strength (RN/RM & RAF) and Full-Time Trade Trained Strength (Army)

The FTTS and FTTTS total has decreased between 1 April 2022 and 1 April 2023 by 2.4 per cent (3,260 personnel). The RN/RM, Army and RAF decreased by 1.4, 3.1 and 1.6 per cent respectively as shown in Table 2.

Table 2: FTTS and FTTTS

01-Apr-20 01-Apr-21 01-Apr-22 01-Oct-22 01-Jan-23 01-Apr-23 % Change since 1 Apr 22
Total 132,630 136,600 136,820   134,940 134,530 133,570 -2.4%
RN/RM (FTTS) 29,040 29,460 29,760   29,500 29,410 29,350 -1.4%
Army (FTTTS) 73,900 77,200 77,190   75,930 75,710 74,830 -3.1%
RAF(FTTS) 29,690 29,940 29,870   29,500 29,410 29,380 -1.6%

The FTTS and FTTTS total gradually increased between 1 July 2020 and 1 July 2021 but has been decreasing since, as shown below in Figure 1.

FTTS and FTTTS includes all UK Regular personnel, Gurkhas and the relevant elements of the Full-Time Reserve Service (FTRS) (see glossary for more detail).

Figure 1: FTTS and FTTTS

A line graph showing FTTS (RN/RM & RAF) & FTTTS (Army). FTTS & FTTTS decreased until October 2019, then increased until July 2021, after which it has decreased.

6. Full-Time Trained Strength (FTTS) and Full-Time Trade Trained Strength (FTTTS) - Army

Table 3: Comparison FTTS and FTTTS (Army)

01-Apr-22 01-Jul-22 01-Oct-22 01-Jan-23 01-Apr-23
Full-Time Trained Strength 81,960 81,010 80,440 79,990 79,010
of which Trade Trained 77,190 76,750 75,930 75,710 74,830

Figure 2: FTTS & FTTTS in the Army since Trained Strength definition change in October 16

A line graph showing the Army FTTS and FTTTS. FTTS fell until April 2019, increased until October 2021 and has declined since. FTTTS declined until October 2019, increased until July 2021 and has declined since.

As can be seen from Figure 2 above, Army FTTS saw an increase between 1 April 2019 and 1 October 2021, but has gradually decreased since. The Army FTTTS increased between 1 October 2019 and 1 July 2021 but has seen a gradual decrease since. The Army FTTS at 1 April 2023 is lower than at 1 April 2022 by 3.6 per cent and the Army FTTTS has decreased by 3.1 per cent over the same period.

Table 4: Army Officers and Other Ranks by Training Status

01-Apr-20 01-Apr-21 01-Apr-22 01-Oct-22 01-Jan-23 01-Apr-23
Trained Officers 12,520 12,770 12,840 12,800 12,840 12,580
Trade Trained Officers 12,260 12,490 12,550 12,480 12,450 12,320
Trained Other Ranks 66,490 69,420 69,120 67,640 67,160 66,430
Trade Trained Other Ranks 61,640 64,710 64,640 63,450 63,260 62,520

Since 1 April 2022, the FTTS and FTTTS Officers have decreased by 2.0 per cent and 1.9 per cent respectively. The FTTS and FTTTS Other Ranks have decreased by 3.9 per cent and 3.3 per cent respectively since 1 April 2022, as can be seen from Table 4 above.

7. UK Regular Personnel

At 1 April 2023, the Trained and Untrained Strength of the UK Regular Forces was 142,560. The Service split for this figure can be found in Table 5 below.

There are 9,520 Untrained personnel in the UK Regular Forces, of which 3,810 are in the RN/RM, 2,850 in the Army and 2,860 are in the RAF. The Untrained Strength reflects the number of personnel who can potentially join the Trained Strength.

Table 5: UK Regular Forces by Service and Training Status

01-Apr-22 01-Apr-23
RN/RM 33,930 32,840  
of which Trained 29,410 86.7% 29,030 88.4%
Army 80,730 77,540  
of which Trained 77,820 96.4% 74,890 96.6%
of which Trade Trained 73,310 90.8% 70,980 91.6%
RAF 33,320 32,180  
of which Trained 29,800 89.4% 29,320 91.1%

7.1 Intake and Outflow

In the 12 months to 31 March 2023, when comparing Intake and Outflow, there was a net reduction of 5,420 personnel in the UK Regular Forces. In comparison, there was a net decrease of 1,280 personnel in the 12 months to 31 March 2022. Outflow has increased by 12.8 per cent and Intake has decreased by 17.0 per cent since 31 March 2022.

7.2 Intake

  • Untrained and direct Trained/Trade Trained Intake to the UK Regular Forces was 11,090 in the 12 months to 31 March 2023, compared to 13,350 in the 12 months to 31 March 2022.
  • In the 12 months to 31 March 2023, Intake to the RN/RM, Army and RAF decreased by 22.1, 14.6 and 16.6 per cent respectively compared to the 12 months to 31 March 2022.

Figure 3: Intake to and Outflow from the UK Regular Forces over rolling 12-month periods from 1 April 2016 - 31 March 2023

4 line graphs showing Intake and Outflow for RN/RM, Army, RAF and the Tri-Service total. At 31st March 2023, Outflow from RN/RM, Army, RAF and the total Tri-Service exceeded Intake.

7.3 Outflow

Voluntary Outflow (VO) encompasses all Trained (RN/RM & RAF) and Trade Trained (Army) personnel who voluntarily exit before the end of their agreed engagement or commission period.

Time Expiry is a term used to describe those in the Armed Services who reach the end of their engagement or commission and then leave.

Other includes Outflow from the Trained (RN/RM & RAF) and Trade Trained (Army) Strength due to, amongst others, medical reasons, misconduct, compassionate, dismissals and death.

VO Rate is the number of personnel voluntarily Outflowing as a proportion of the average Trained Strength for the Outflow period.

  • Outflow from the Trained and Untrained UK Regular Forces was 16,510 in the 12 months to 31 March 2023; up from 14,630 in the 12 months to 31 March 2022.

  • Across all Services, VO was the most common reason for Outflow of Trained (RN/RM & RAF) and Trade Trained (Army) personnel, accounting for 62.4 per cent of Outflow in the 12 months to 31 March 2023 (See Figure 4).

  • In the 12 months to 31 March 2023, 8,400 Trained (RN/RM & RAF) and Trade Trained (Army) personnel left through VO; the VO rate was 6.4 per cent. The VO Rate for the RN/RM was 6.6 per cent, for the Army it was 6.3 per cent and for the RAF it was 6.6 per cent.

  • In the 12 months to 31 March 2023, the VO rate amongst Other Ranks and Officers was 6.7 per cent and 5.2 per cent respectively.

There is no single reason why personnel leave on Voluntary Outflow, but the personnel who completed the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey indicated reasons for leaving the Armed Forces included the impact of Service life on family and personal life and opportunities outside the Armed Forces.

Figure 4: Outflow of Trained (RN/RM & RAF) and Trade Trained (Army) UK Regulars by exit reason (12 months to 31 March 2023)

Pie charts showing outflow for the three services plus the Tri-service total by exit reason. For all services Voluntary Outflow is the highest exit reason.

Gains to Trained Strength (GTS) figures comprise all Regular personnel who complete Phase 2 Training and those that enter directly into the Phase 2 Trained Strength. It excludes those returning to the Phase 2 Trained Strength from Long Term Absence (LTA).

Trained Outflow figures show Phase 2 Trained Outflow from UK Regular Forces, including personnel leaving the Services, deaths and recalled reservists on release. They do not include promotion from Ranks to Officers or flows between Services.

Gains to Trained Strength and Trained Outflow

In the 12 months to 31 March 2023, the number of personnel joining the Trained (RN/RM & RAF) and Trade Trained Strength (Army) UK Regular Forces was 2,880 lower than the number leaving. This represents a net loss to the Phase 2 Trained population of the Armed Forces. The overall Full-Time Trained/Trade Trained Strength as at 1 April 2023 (after accounting for other flows such as promotion from Ranks to Officers or flows between Services) was 3,260 lower than as at 1 April 2022.

  • Trained and Trade Trained direct entrants in the 12 months to 31 March 2023 was 240. This is a decrease of 5.4 per cent from the 12 months to 31 March 2022.
  • Personnel completing Phase 2 Training in the 12 months to 31 March 2023 was 10,340. This has decreased by 5.2% per cent when compared to the previous 12 month period (10,900).
  • Compared to the 12 months to 31 March 2022, in the 12 months to 31 March 2022 the Gains to Trained Strength for the RN/RM and Army decreased by 1.2% and 14.8% respectively, whereas the RAF gains increased by 18.1 per cent.
  • In comparison to the 12 months ending 31 March 2022, Trained Outflow from the RN/RM increased by 26.5 per cent, Army Trade Trained Outflow increased by 21.6 per cent and RAF Trained Outflow increased by 44.2 per cent in the 12 months ending 31 March 2023.

Figure 5: GTS and Outflow from the UK Trained Regular Forces 12 month ending across the Armed Forces from 1 April 2016 - 31 March 2023

4 line graphs showing trained outflow and GTS for RN/RM, Army, RAF and the Tri-Service total. Tri-Service trained outflow was greater than GTS up to 30 June 2020. GTS was then greater up to 31 March 2022, after which trained outflow has been greater.

8. Future Reserves 2020 (FR20) Programme Monitoring

Future Reserves 2020 includes Volunteer Reserves who are mobilised, High Readiness Reserves and those Volunteer Reserves serving on Full-time Reserve Service (FTRS) and Additional Duties Commitment (ADC). Sponsored Reserves who provide a more cost-effective solution than Volunteer Reserves are also included in the Army Reserve FR20.

Following consultation on changes to the Army Trained Strength definition and the removal of the FR20 Intake targets, the MOD released Future Reserves 2020 Trained Strength growth profiles in a Written Ministerial Statement on 8 November 2016. Reporting of the growth of the Reserves were based on Trained Strength profiles only.

Following initial plans to freeze FR20 data as at 1 April 2022, extensive consultation with internal stakeholders within MOD has identified an ongoing need to publish FR20 statistics. As a result, we will continue to publish tables on the FR20 population in Service Personnel Statistics until further notice.  This decision will be reviewed in 2023 and further feedback will be sought from users around this time.

8.1 Future Reserves 2020 Strength

Progress against FR20 population Trained Strength targets were reported in Table 6a of the Excel tables. The total Trained and Untrained Strength of the Tri-Service Future Reserves 2020 at 1 April 2023 was 33,830, a decrease of 2,050 personnel or 5.7 per cent since 1 April 2022.

8.2 Maritime Reserve

Figure 6 shows that the Maritime Reserve Trained Strength was 2,730 at 1 April 2023. This is a decrease of 130 personnel (4.8 per cent) since 1 April 2022.

The Maritime Reserve total Strength at 1 April 2023 was 3,460. This is a decrease of 350 personnel (9.2 per cent) since 1 April 2022.

Figure 6: Maritime Reserve Trained Strength

A line graph showing trained strength for Maritime Reserve between 1 April 2014 and 1 April 2023. The trained strength was 2730 at 1 April 2023.

8.3 Army Reserve

Figure 7 shows that the Army Reserve Trained Strength was 24,810 at 1 April 2023. This is a decrease of 920 (3.6 per cent) since 1 April 2022.

The Army Reserve total Strength at 1 April 2023 was 27,240. This is a decrease of 1,590 (5.5 per cent) since 1 April 2022.

Figure 7: Army Reserve Trained Strength

A line graph showing trained strength for Army Reserve between 1 April 2014 and 1 April 2023. The trained strength was 24810 at 1 April 2023.

8.4 RAF Reserve

Figure 8 shows that, at 1 April 2023, the RAF Reserve Trained Strength was 2,810. This is an decrease of 70 personnel (2.4 per cent) since 1 April 2022.

The RAF Reserve total Strength at 1 April 2023 was 3,140. This is a decrease of 110 personnel (3.4 per cent) since 1 April 2022.

Figure 8: RAF Reserve Trained Strength

A line graph showing trained strength for RAF Reserve between 1 April 2014 and 1 April 2023. The trained strength was 2810 at 1 April 2023.

8.5 FR20 Intake and Outflow statistics

Intake and Outflow statistics report how many people have left or joined the Trained or Untrained Strengths. As well as leavers and new recruits, this can include personnel transferring to or from the Regular Forces, other Reserve populations, or Reserve re-joiners.

The total Intake rates for each Service in the 12 months to 31 March 2023 are as follows:

  • The Maritime Reserve total Intake rate was 9.8 per cent; a decrease of 4.2 percentage points since the 12 months to 31 March 2022.
  • The Army Reserve total Intake rate was 10.0 per cent; a decrease of 2.5 percentage points since the 12 months to 31 March 2022.
  • The RAF Reserves total Intake rate was 13.4 per cent; a decrease of 2.0 percentage points since the 12 months to 31 March 2022.

Figure 9: Total Intake rate by Service

A line graph showing the FR20 intake rate for the three services between 31 March 18 and 31 March 23 intake rates for all services have shown a downward trend since October 2021. Maritme and RAF have increased for the latest month. Army has plateaued.

The total Outflow rates for each Service in the 12 months ending 31 March 2023 are as follows:

  • The Maritime Reserve total Outflow rate was 19.6 per cent; an decrease of 1.1 percentage points since the 12 months to 31 March 2022.
  • The Army Reserve total Outflow rate was 15.6 per cent; an decrease of 0.9 percentage points since the 12 months to 31 March 2022.
  • The RAF Reserves total Outflow rate was 16.9 per cent; an decrease of 0.1 percentage points since the 12 months to 31 March 2022.

Figure 10: Total Outflow rate by Service

A line graph showing the FR20 outflow rate for the three services between 31 March 18 and 31 March 23. The outflow rates in general have shown an increase since March 2021.

Figure 11: Intake to and Outflow from the FR20 Reserves over rolling 12-month periods ending from 1 April 2018 - 31 March 2023

4 line graphs showing intake to and outflow from the FR20 reserves over 12 month rolling periods. For all three reserve services combined, outflow is currently higher than intake for the latest 12 month period.

9. Separated Service

Separated Service concerns personnel who are serving away from their usual place of duty or are unable to enjoy leisure at their normal place of duty or residence at place of duty.

Individual Harmony is the freedom to enjoy leisure at the normal place of duty or residence at place of duty; this includes leave and adventurous Training.

Separated service measures absence from normal place of duty. The time an individual experiences separated service is compared against each Service’s “Individual Harmony” guidelines to ensure a balance between duty and leisure for all Service personnel.

A breach of individual harmony guidelines occurs when Service personnel experience separated service for longer than the period outlined in individual harmony guidelines, which are based on the structures and organisation of that Service. The guidelines are measured over a 36 month period and the limits are:

  • 660 days away for the RN/RM
  • 498 days away for the Army
  • 498 days away for the RAF (was 468 days prior to 1 April 2021)

Using 1 April 2022 as an example, the formula for the breach rate is as follows:

  1. Count the number of Trained/Trade Trained UK Regular personnel breaching in the 36 months ending to 31 Mar 2022
  2. Divide this by the Trained UK Regular Strength as at 1 Apr 2022

The percentage breaching harmony has remained stable for the RN/RM (0.3 per cent), the Army (1.1 per cent) and the RAF (0.3 per cent) at 1 January 2023 compared to the previous quarter, 1 October 2022.

Separated service data can be found in Table 10 of the accompanying, Excel tables.

Figure 12: Percentage of UK Regular Forces breaching harmony (1 April 2014 - 31 December 2022)

A line graph showing the percentage of UK Regular Forces breaching harmony. Army has the highest breach rate of the three services at 1.1% at 1 January 2023. Navy and RAF both have breach rates of 0.3% at 1 January 2022.

10. Applications to the Armed Forces

The figures in this publication include applications to the UK Regular and Volunteer Reserve Forces. They are broken down by Service, and by Officers and Other Ranks.

Note that application figures have not been updated since the 1 July 2022 publication. Data regarding applications to the RN/RM, Army and RAF are still unavailable since the change in our data source as we are validating the data, when this is completed, we intend to publish in a future edition.

Whilst application counts for each service are based on online applications submitted by an individual and accepted by Defence Recruitment System (DRS), work is ongoing to verify that application processes and definitions are consistent and we would recommend that numbers should not be aggregated to show Armed Forces totals (hence separate tables and graphs are provided).


The number of applications received does not directly relate to Intake figures, since:

  • Figures relate to the number of applications received and not the number of applicants, as one applicant may submit several applications;
  • For successful applicants who accept an offer to join the Services, there is a substantial processing time between their application being received and the applicant joining the Services. Therefore, the Intake figures for Dec 19 are not comparable with the number of applications received in Dec 19 as the numbers apply to different cohorts of people;
  • Applications will not result in Intake if, for example, they are withdrawn by the applicant during the recruitment process, rejected by the Services, or if an offer to join the Services is declined by the applicant. See below for further information.


There is a break in the time series between 30 September 2017 and 30 June 2019 due to the change in recruiting systems from the Training Administration and Financial Management Information System (TAFMIS) to DRS and due to the need to ensure consistency of the start date for reintroduced data between the single Services.

There is a reporting lag of one quarter meaning 31 December 2022 application data would usually be provided in this SPS edition.

Applications that do not result in Intake

The main causes of applicant failure (i.e. no offer to join the Services given) include:

  • Failing security clearance;
  • Failing the medical scrutiny;
  • Not having the required residency;
  • Not achieving fitness entry standards;
  • Not achieving the required recruiting test score for the desired branch/Trade;
  • Applicants withdraw for their own reasons (e.g. change of mind) during the process

The main causes of application failure (i.e. the applicant declines an offer to join):

  • Applicants may have submitted other applications for employment (including multiple applications to join the Armed Forces) and accept another offer;
  • Applications may be submitted with no intention to join (e.g. to satisfy the requirements of job seeking).

NOTE: Application numbers cannot be added together across the Services to show total Armed Forces applications due to differences in definitions.

Figure 13: Applications to the RN/RM split by UK Regular Forces and Volunteer Reserves

A bar graph showing applications to the RN/RM split by UK Regular Forces and Volunteer Reserves. Applications to Regular Forces and Volunteer Reserves have decreased in the 12 months to 31 December 2021 compared to the 12 months to 31 December 2020.

Note RN/RM application figures have been unavailable since 31 March 2022 and will be published in a future edition of the publication.

Figures from 12 months ending 30 June 2019 onwards define an application as an online application submitted by an individual and accepted by Defence Recruitment System (DRS). The number of applications to the RN/RM Regular Forces in the 12 months to 31 December 2021 was 24,731, a decrease of 25.2 per cent compared to the 12 months to 31 December 2020 (33,058). Over the same period, applications to the Volunteer Reserves have decreased by 26.4 per cent, from 3,042 in the 12 months to 31 December 2020 to 2,240 in the 12 months to 31 December 2021.

Figure 14: Applications to the Army split by UK Regular Forces and Volunteer Reserves

A bar graph showing applications to the Army split by UK Regular Forces and Volunteer Reserves. Applications to Regular Forces and Volunteer Reserves have decreased in the 12 months to 31 March 2022 compared to the 12 months to 31 March 2021.

Note 31 March 2022 Army application figures are provisional and Army applications data have been unavailable since 30 June 2022 and will be published in a future edition of the publication.

Figures from 12 months ending 30 June 2019 onwards define an application as an online application submitted by an individual and accepted by Defence Recruitment System (DRS). The number of applications to the British Army Regular Forces in the 12 months to 31 March 2022 was 69,282, a decrease of 32.8 per cent compared to the 12 months to 31 March 2021 (103,095). Over the same period, applications to the Volunteer Reserves have decreased by 20.0 per cent, from 29,273 in the 12 months to 31 March 2021 to 23,409 in the 12 months to 31 March 2022. Commonwealth Applicants are included in the number of applications. The Commonwealth entry numbers are closely controlled. Applications may be refused if no Commonwealth headroom is available. These applicants will then be withdrawn from the pipeline but the application number will still be counted in the overall volume of applications received.

Figure 15: Applications to the RAF split by UK Regular Forces and Volunteer Reserves

A bar graph showing applications to the RAF split by UK Regular Forces and Volunteer Reserves. Applications to Regular Forces and Volunteer Reserves have decreased in the 12 months to 31 December 2021 compared to the 12 months to 31 December 2020.

Note RAF application figures have been unavailable since 31 March 2022 and will be published in a future edition of the publication.

The increase in RAF applications since the introduction of DRS is due to the previous recruitment system having a separate frontend, this was used to assist the initial application processing team in filtering out RAF ineligible applications and non-productive enquiries prior to an official application being recorded. The number of applications to the RAF Regular Forces in the 12 months to 31 December 2021 was 26,626, a decrease of 32.3 per cent compared to the 12 months to 31 December 2020 (39,351). Over the same period, applications to the Volunteer Reserves have decreased by 28.9 per cent, from 5,007 in the 12 months to 31 December 2020 to 3,561 in the 12 months to 31 December 2021.

11. Further Information

11.1 Rounding

Apart from the Applications section, all figures in this publication have been rounded to the nearest 10, though numbers ending in a “5” have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent the systematic bias caused by always rounding numbers upwards. For example; a value of “25” would be rounded down to “20” and a value of “15” would be rounded up to “20”. Additionally, totals and sub-totals are rounded separately and so may not equal the sums of their rounded parts.

Percentages are calculated from unrounded data and presented to one decimal place.

Due to percentages being rounded to one decimal place, sub-totals don’t always add up to 100%.

The MOD Disclosure Control and Rounding policy is published on GOV.UK and we have applied this policy to the statistics in the accompanying Excel tables. The policy is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-statistics-policies

11.2 Revisions

There are no revisions in this edition of the publication.

11.3 Symbols

Symbol Description
|| discontinuity in time series
* not applicable
.. not available
- zero
~ 5 or fewer
p Provisional
e Estimate
r Revised

11.4 Contact Us

Analysis Tri-Service welcome feedback on our statistical products. If you have any comments or questions about this publication or about our statistics in general, you can contact us as follows:

Responsible statistician: Analysis Tri-Service
Email: Analysis-Tri-Service@mod.gov.uk

If you require information which is not available within this or other available publications, you may wish to submit a Request for Information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to the Ministry of Defence. For more information, see: https://www.gov.uk/make-a-freedom-of-information-request/the-freedom-of-information-act

Other contact points within the Ministry of Defence for Statistics are listed below.

Defence Expenditure Analysis: Email: DefStrat-Econ-ESES-PQFOI@mod.gov.uk

Naval Service Workforce: Email: Analysis-Navy@mod.gov.uk

Army Workforce: Email: defstrat-stat-army-enquiries@mod.uk

RAF Workforce: Email: Analysis-Air@mod.uk

Tri-service Workforce: Email: Analysis-Tri-Service@mod.gov.uk

Civilian Workforce: Email: Analysis-Civilian-Enquiries@mod.gov.uk

Health Information: Email: Analysis-Health-PQ-FOI@mod.gov.uk

If you wish to correspond by mail, our postal address is:

Analysis (Tri-Service)
Ministry of Defence, Main Building
Floor 3 Zone M
Whitehall
London
SW1A 2HB

For general MOD enquiries, please call: 020 7218 9000

Back to top