A Country With No Army — How It Still Manages to Stay Safe

A Nation Without Soldiers

It sounds impossible, but there are a few countries in the world that live without a standing army. No soldiers, no tanks, no military bases. Yet people go to work, children go to school, and life continues normally. The idea feels risky, but for these nations, it has become part of their identity.

Why They Chose to Remove the Army

In some countries, the decision came after years of conflict or political change. Leaders believed that safety could come from peaceful policy, strong laws, and diplomacy rather than weapons. Money that would normally go to the military was instead used for education, healthcare, and development. One famous example is Costa Rica, which abolished its army in 1948 and invested heavily in social progress.

So How Do They Stay Safe?

Countries without armies don’t simply “do nothing.” Many rely on police forces, coast guards, and international agreements. Some have defense treaties with larger nations. Others are geographically small or politically neutral, which lowers the chance of conflict. Safety, for them, is built on co-operation instead of confrontation.

Does It Actually Work?

Surprisingly, yes — in many cases. Nations like Iceland, Panama, and Costa Rica have ranked high in global safety indexes. Crime still exists, but large-scale conflict risk remains low. These countries focus on diplomacy, disaster response, and community stability rather than military strength.

A Different Way of Thinking About Security

The idea of living without an army challenges the world’s usual view of power. It shows that security can also come from trust, alliances, stable politics, and social investment. It may not work everywhere — but in a few places, it has worked for decades.

And that’s what makes these countries stand out:
they chose peace as their main defense.