Giant size of Royal Yugoslav Army?

[Dili]

I find it very difficult to understand how Yugoslavia with such population could have so big army looking at unit size, huge manpower Divisions and the number of those units. Or is it just me?

[peeved]

Dunno if Wiki numbers are correct but 1,2 million mobilised in 1941 from a population of 15,4 million (1939) would be ca. 7,8%.

Cf. e.g. Finnish mobilisation in 1941: 540 000 (630 000 including female auxiliaries) from a population of 3,7 million or ca. 14,6% (17%) That despite Finland having already suffered significant casualties in the 1939...40 Russian aggression.

Markus

[Loïc]

France was around 12,5% in 1939-1940, Soviet Union, Japan and Germany were also in the top of the ratio

[Dili]

Okay, will have to check out. I think i have read bigger numbers for Yugoslav army, still i am surprised by the levels of France.

[MarkN]

I find it very difficult to understand how Yugoslavia with such population could have so big army looking at unit size, huge manpower Divisions and the number of those units. Or is it just me?

Is it just you? It is impossible to respond as you have provided no data on which to comment.

[reedwh52]

Most armies in Europe were based on conscription and reserve service requirements to age 50. This could create large armies at mobilization.

[Dili]

I find it very difficult to understand how Yugoslavia with such population could have so big army looking at unit size, huge manpower Divisions and the number of those units. Or is it just me?

Is it just you? It is impossible to respond as you have provided no data on which to comment.

I was comparing with Italian Army and compared the division size and their number and population size 44M vs 16M

[reedwh52]

Italy may not be the best "Comparable". Many European countries had greater mobilization strengths (percentage wise).
Belgium mobilized 650,000 plus on a population base of 8.4 million;
Sweden mobilized 400,000 initially, rising to 650,000 on a population base of 6.3 million;
Switzerland 433,000 in May 1940 on a population base of 4.2 million;