Approximately how many stormtroopers does the First Order have to throw away? It is mentioned that the current Stormtroopers are better trained than those during the reign of Palpatine, and that the reason for this is that the First Order lacks the insane numerical advantages of the former Empire or those that the New Republic could very easily gain via draft. This implies that both the New Republic and the Galactic Empire were better off in terms of manpower. Furthermore, in a scene on Starkiller base, it shows thousands of Stormtroopers in several large "blocks" (phalanxes?).
Many within the military believed that despite being outnumbered by the New Republic Starfleet, their technological superiority was so complete that even their smaller navy stood virtually unchallenged.
and
With the First Order lacking the numerical superiority of the Galactic Empire, better equipped and trained soldiers resulted in higher trooper proficiency than the previous Galactic Empire.
Are the quotes I am talking about from the all-knowing nearly-all-knowing Wookieepedia.