The nation holds a Power Index score of 0.2567 with a score of 0.0000 being considered exceptional in the
In 2021, Australia ranked 10th on the index and New Zealand was the fastest-rising nation the same year, due to their initial Zero-COVID stance.
General (GEN) Insignia
General is the highest active rank of the Australian Army. The rank of General is only held when an Army Officer is appointed as the Chief of the Defence Force. The rank of General is referred to as 'four star' rank.
The world's 12th largest economy
Strong growth in 2021 solidified Australia's position as the world's 12th largest economy in 2021. Nominal GDP was around A$2.2 trillion (US$1.6 trillion) in 2021. Australia is home to just 0.3% of the world's population, but accounts for 1.7% of the global economy.
The nation holds a PwrIndx* score of 0.2567 (a score of 0.0000 is considered 'perfect'). This entry last reviewed on 01/05/2023.
Today, Australia enjoys bilateral security relationships with both New Zealand and the US under ANZUS. The treaty, while not formally revoked after the US- New Zealand nuclear dispute, no longer fully exists in practice.
According to the report, Australia Army has a total of 59 combat tanks and 2040 armoured fighting vehicles.
Australia ranks amongst the highest in the world for quality of life, health, education, economic freedom, civil liberties and political rights.
Australia has plentiful supplies of natural resources, including the second largest accessible reserves of iron ore in the world, the fifth largest reserves of coal and significant gas resources. For a long time, commodities have made up a sizeable share of our exports.
Australians are the richest people in the world, with a median wealth three times that of the average American, a new report has shown.
The highest active rank in the Australian Defence Force is reserved for the Chief of the Defence Force. This is a four-star rank and the CDF is the only Australian military officer at that level.
China has a defence budget six times higher than Australia and boasts 42 times more soldiers, 55 times more tanks, 13 times more submarines and 16 times more fighter jets. Across land, air and sea, China has Australia covered with 3.3 million troops in service compared to Australia's relatively feeble 80,000.
Australian Defence Force personnel are deployed to operations overseas and within Australia, in order to actively protect Australia's borders and offshore maritime interests.
In 2014, Australia was granted NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partner status as a 'valuable, capable and reliable partner', alongside Finland, Georgia, Jordan, Sweden and Ukraine. Australia's relationship with NATO continues to evolve in response to today's complex security environment.
In 2017, a major poll showed that New Zealand was considered Australia's "best friend", a position previously held by the United States.
The Royal Australian Navy consists of nearly 50 commissioned vessels and over 16,000 personnel. We are one of the largest and most sophisticated naval forces in the Pacific region, with a significant presence in the Indian Ocean and worldwide operations in support of military campaigns and peacekeeping missions.
There are six submarines in the Collins Class fleet, each named after former Royal Australian Navy personnel who served with distinction: HMAS Collins.
United States. The United States of America is a North American nation that is the world's most dominant economic and military power.
The United States remains the most powerful country in the world, followed by China and Russia. However, the balance of power may shift in the coming years as countries like India and Brazil continue to grow economically and assert themselves on the global stage.