Top 10 Countries With The Most Number of U.S. Military Bases

Key Takeaways

  • Japan leads with 14 bases. It hosts the most U.S. bases globally, exceeding individual counts in the Philippines (9) and South Korea (8).
  • Asia-Pacific Dominance: The region (Japan, Philippines, South Korea, Australia, and Papua New Guinea) accounts for 41 bases, nearly 1/3 of the global total.
  • The Asia-Pacific region hosts 41 U.S. bases, while Europe (Italy, Germany, Poland, UK) has 23. This indicates a growing strategic pivot towards the Pacific compared to traditional European deployments.
  •  Kuwait (5 bases) stands out as the primary hub for U.S. military operations in the Middle East, highlighting its role as a key staging ground for regional security.
  • The top 10 host countries account for 69 of the 128 total bases (over 53%), meaning nearly half of U.S. overseas bases are spread across the remaining 39 countries.

The U.S. maintains 128 bases across 49 countries, with Japan alone hosting 14 — the highest single-nation total. While Japan leads individually, the Philippines (9) and South Korea (8) collectively hold 17 bases in the Asia-Pacific, highlighting the region’s strategic priority.

Europe’s footprint spans Italy (7), Germany (6), and Poland (5), reflecting NATO’s eastern focus, while Kuwait (5) anchors Middle East operations. Emerging deployments in Papua New Guinea (6) highlight Pacific militarisation efforts, contrasting with legacy hubs like Germany.

Source:

Congressional research service

Period:

2024
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