Number of Personnel
Following the end of World War I, the RAF was greatly reduced in size and only rebuilt in significant number in the years immediately pre-ceding World War II. At its peak during World War II, there were over one million RAF servicemen. Following the demobilization after World War II, the RAF has steadily declined in numbers.
| Year | 1918 | 1951 | 1975 | 1985 | 1993 | 1997 | 2005/2006 | 2009 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | 316,170 | 148,900 | 95,000 | 93,400 | 80,900 | 56,900 | 48,700 | 43,800 | 40,090 |
| National Service | N/A | 88,900 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Regular Reserve | N/A | N/K | N/K | 29,800 | 46,100 | 45,400 | 35,000 | 35,160 | 5,120 |
| Volunteer Reserve | N/A | 18,100 | N/K | 1,200 | 1,800 | 1,400 | 1,400 | 1,480 | 1,360 |
Read more about this topic: History Of The Royal Air Force
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