Countries With Mandatory Military Service: Full List

More than 60 countries have some form of mandatory military service, or conscription. Notable examples include Israel, which drafts both men and women; South Korea, where men serve around 18 months; Switzerland and Singapore, which have universal male service; and Nordic nations like Norway and Sweden that have adopted gender-neutral conscription.

Introduction

Conscription — compulsory enrollment in a country's armed forces — remains common around the world despite the shift toward professional volunteer militaries in many Western nations. Countries maintain the draft for reasons ranging from national security threats to building civic cohesion and maintaining a large trained reserve.

Service lengths, exemptions, and rules vary widely. Some nations conscript only men, a few include women, and others allow alternative civilian service for conscientious objectors. This guide covers the most notable countries with mandatory service and how long recruits typically serve.

Notable Countries With Conscription

• Israel: One of the few countries to conscript both men and women. Men typically serve about 32 months and women about 24 months, with some exemptions for religious and other groups. Israel maintains one of the most comprehensive draft systems in the world.
• South Korea: All able-bodied men must serve roughly 18 to 21 months depending on the branch, driven by the ongoing standoff with North Korea. Even famous K-pop stars and athletes are required to serve.
• Switzerland: Maintains universal male conscription, with recruits completing basic training and periodic refresher service over many years. Alternative civilian service is available for conscientious objectors.
• Singapore: Requires "National Service" of about two years for all male citizens and permanent residents, followed by reservist obligations. It is a defining feature of Singaporean society.
• Austria: Men must complete around six months of military service or nine months of alternative civilian service. Voters chose to keep conscription in a 2013 referendum.
• Finland: Maintains conscription for men, typically lasting 6 to 12 months, and holds one of the largest wartime reserves in Europe relative to its population, reflecting its long border with Russia.
• Norway: Introduced gender-neutral conscription in 2015, becoming the first NATO member to draft both men and women on equal terms. Service lasts around 12 months.
• Sweden: Reintroduced conscription in 2017 after a brief suspension, applying it to both men and women, with selected recruits serving around 9 to 12 months.
• Greece: Requires men to serve roughly 9 to 12 months, one of the longer service periods in the European Union, reflecting regional tensions.
• Turkey: Maintains conscription for men, with service lengths that have been reduced in recent years and a paid exemption option available under certain conditions.
• Brazil: Requires men to register at age 18, though only a portion are actually called up for about 10 to 12 months of service.
• Russia: Conscripts men aged 18 to 30 for one year of service, supplementing its large professional military.
• Iran: Requires men to serve roughly 18 to 24 months, a longstanding requirement for most young men.
• Egypt: Conscripts men for periods ranging from about one to three years depending on education level.
• Thailand: Uses an annual conscription lottery in which young men draw red or black cards to determine whether they must serve, typically for up to two years.
• Cuba: Requires men to complete about one to two years of military service, part of the country's longstanding defense structure.

Global Conscription Trends

While many nations still conscript, the global trend over recent decades has moved toward professional volunteer forces. Countries such as the United States (which ended the draft in 1973 but keeps Selective Service registration), the United Kingdom, France, and Germany have all suspended or abolished compulsory service. However, renewed security concerns — particularly in Europe following heightened tensions with Russia — have led some countries like Sweden to bring conscription back. Gender-neutral service, pioneered by Norway and Sweden, may become more common in the future.

Quick Questions

Which countries make women do military service?

Only a handful of countries conscript women. Israel is the best known, drafting women for around 24 months. Norway and Sweden have adopted gender-neutral conscription, requiring both men and women to be eligible for service. Eritrea and a few others also include women.

How long is mandatory military service?

Service length varies widely. It can be as short as about six months in Austria or as long as roughly 32 months for men in Israel. Many countries fall in the range of 12 to 24 months, though exact durations depend on the branch of service and the individual's role.

Does the United States have mandatory military service?

No, the United States does not currently have mandatory military service. The draft was ended in 1973, and the US now relies on an all-volunteer force. However, most men aged 18 to 25 are still required to register with the Selective Service System in case a draft is ever reinstated.