What is the size of the cabinet of the world’s 10 most important countries?

Governments around the world vary widely in the number of cabinet members based on administrative structures, geopolitics, and governance systems. 

Some countries, despite their large size and population, have relatively small cabinets, while others have large or mega-cabinet governments. A recent update on global governance shows that the type of government—such as parliamentary versus presidential—plays a major role in the size of the cabinet.

Despite being a country with a large size and a large economy, the number of cabinet members in the United States under the presidential system of government is only 23. The cabinet formed under the Chancellor of Germany has 17 ministers. Similarly, the number of ministers in the cabinet led by the Prime Minister in the parliamentary system of the United Kingdom is 22. 

In East Asian power Japan, the prime minister-led cabinet has 20 members. On the other hand, in the presidential government of the Middle Eastern country Turkey (Turkey), the number of cabinet members is 19. In addition, in China, the world's most populous country, at least 35 full members or ministerial-level officials serve as the main driving force for the administrative and executive work of the State Council, led by the prime minister.

In South and Southeast Asia, there is a trend towards a relatively large cabinet in government formation. In India, the world's largest democracy, the total number of members, including the Union Ministers and Ministers of State under the Prime Minister, is 72. 

In the Southeast Asian island nation of Indonesia, the president has a large cabinet of 109 members, making it one of the largest cabinets internationally. In Pakistan's parliamentary system, the prime minister-led cabinet has 55 members.

Bangladesh, one of the most important countries in South Asia, follows an administrative structure led by the Prime Minister under a parliamentary system. Currently, the country has a cabinet of 54 members, including the Prime Minister. 

Overall, it can be seen that each state determines its own administrative structure in light of constitutional obligations and political needs.

Source: BBC, Al Jazeera.