Armed forces are present in the majority of countries across the globe. There is a wide variation in the strategies used to recruit new military members in different countries. The following are the primary techniques of recruiting:
Citizens may opt to join the military and make it their employer, or make it a profession, by voluntarily signing up for military service. Often considered the most desirable and socially acceptable approach to sustaining an army.
Mandatory military service is making headlines.
Men (and occasionally women) above a particular age are required by law to serve in the armed forces for a certain period (usually 1-3 years). Typically used by the military in necessity or by despotic dictators.
Draft or Conscription refers to a variation on mandatory military service in which all males in a particular age range (typically 18-35 years old) must register as eligible for military service. Still, there is no guarantee that they will be called to active duty at any time, especially during peacetime.
In many conscription systems, recruits are chosen randomly or via a lottery. On the other hand, selective compulsive systems only call in people specifically needed to fill a need in the workforce (for instance, medical personnel, mechanics, or pilots).
Compulsory de jure service is the least taxing option available. Although the law mandates military duty, it is seldom, if ever, really implemented. Men in the United States aged 18-25 must still register with Selective Duty, which means they might be recruited into military service if necessary.
However, because of many voluntary enlistees, the draft hasn’t been utilized in the United States since 1973. (during the Vietnam War). Similarly, Chinese men between 18 and 22 must sign up for 24-month military service, although there are so many volunteers that no draft of conscripts has ever been held.
Combinations — Several countries use a combination of systems. A de jure conscription system (the Selective Service) is in place for emergencies in the United States, which depends on voluntary enrollment.

Less than 1% of American citizens serve in the military, although the United States spends the most on defense. Selective service is on the approach of oblivion. Therefore those Americans who were astonished to hear that it still exists might take solace.
Also See: Drinking Age by Country 2022
In December 2019, the House of Representatives presented House resolution H.R. 5492, which would eliminate the Selective Service. However, as of November 2021, it was still in limbo.
Korean musicians like K-pop group BTS, who will soon be required to leave the group to fulfill their country’s military obligations, may postpone their 18-21 month military duty until they are 30 after South Korea’s mandatory conscription legislation was revised in 2020.

Countries where military service is obligatory:
- Algeria — 12 months for males aged 19-30
- Angola — 24 months for males aged 20-45
- Argentina — De jure – Conscription suspended, but government is authorized to reinstate if necessary
- Armenia — 24 months for males aged 18-27
- Austria — 6-9 months for males aged 18-50
- Azerbaijan — 12-18 months for men aged 18-25
- Belarus — 12-36 months for men aged 18-27
- Belize — De jure – Conscription legal, but has never been needed
- Benin — 18 months selective compulsory for males and females aged 18-35
- Bhutan — Training required for males aged 20-25, but full enlistment is voluntary
- Bolivia — 12-24 months for males aged 18-22
- Brazil — 10-12 months for males aged 18-45, but only 5-10% are actually required to serve
- Cambodia — 18 months for males aged 18-30
- Cape Verde/Cabo Verde — 24 months selective compulsory for males and females aged 18-35
- Chad — 36 months for males age 20, 12 months for females age 21 (females can opt for civic service)
- Chile — 12-22 months selective compulsory service for males 18-45, but conscription is rarely needed
- China — De jure – Conscription of males aged 18-22 for 24 months service is legal but has never been needed
- Columbia — 18 months for males aged 18-24
- Congo (Democratic Republic of) — Conscription of citizens aged 18-45 is legal, but degree of usage is unclear
- Cuba — 24 months for males aged 17-28
- Cyprus — 14 months in National Guard for males aged 18-50
- Denmark — 4-12 months training for men at age 18, eligible for active conscription until age 50
- Egypt — 18-36 months plus 9 years reserve for males aged 18-30
- El Salvador — 11-12 months selective compulsory for males at age 18
- Equatorial Guinea — 24 months selective compulsory for citizens at age 18
- Eritrea — 18 months for males and females aged 18-40 – service obligation may be extended indefinitely
- Estonia — 8-11 months for males aged 18-27
- Ethiopia — De jure – No ongoing conscription, but military has authority to conduct compulsory draft if necessary
- Finland — 6-12 months for males at age 18, reserves until age 60
- Georgia — 12 months for males aged 18-27
- Greece — 9-12 months for males aged 19-45
- Guatemala — 12-24 months selective conscription service for males aged 17-21, though conscription is rare in practice
- Guinea-Bissau — 24 months selective compulsory for males and females aged 18-25
- Indonesia — De jure – Selective conscription of 18-24 months service for males at age 18 is authorized, but not currently utilized
- Iran — 18-24 months for males at age 18
- Israel — 24-48 months (9 years for pilots) for males and females at age 18
- Ivory Coast/Cote d’Ivoire — De jure – Selective conscription of males and females aged 18-25 is authorized, but not currently utilized
- Jordan — 12 months for unemployed males aged 25-29
- Kazakhstan — 12-24 months for males aged 18-27 – may be abolished soon
- Kuwait — 12 months for males aged 18-35
- Kyrgyzstan — 9-12 months for males aged 18-27
- Laos — 18 months for males at age 18
- Lithuania — 9 months for males aged 19-26
- Mali — 24 months selective compulsory for men and women at age 18
- Mexico — 12 months for lottery-selected males at age 18, eligible as reserves until 40
- Moldova — 12 months for males aged 18-27 – may be abolished soon
- Mongolia — 12-24 months for males aged 18-27, eligible as reserves until 45
- Morocco — 12 months for males and females at age 19
- Mozambique — 24 months selective compulsory for males and females aged 18-35
- Myanmar(Burma) — De jure – Law reauthorizing conscription passed in 2010, but hasn’t gone into effect
- Niger — 24 months selective compulsory for unmarried males and females at age 18
- North Korea — 10 years for males and 5 years for females at age 17
- Norway — 19 months (12 months plus 4-5 refreshers) for males and females aged 19-35. However, more than 80% are released from service.
- Paraguay — 12-24 months for males at age 18
- Portugal — De jure – Conscription is legally authorized, but not currently utilized
- Qatar — 4-12 months for males aged 18-35
- Russia — 12 months for males aged 18-27, reserves to age 50. May end conscription in near future.
- San Marino — De jure – No organized conscription, but military can draft citizens aged 16-60 to serve if need arises
- Sao Tome and Principe — (Limited information) De jure – Conscription authorized for citizens at age 18, but is apparently unenforced
- Senegal — 24 months selective compulsory service for males and possibly females at age 20
- Singapore — 24 months for males aged 18-21, reserves to age 40 (enlisted) or 50 (officers)
- Slovakia — De jure – Conscription in peacetime suspended in 2004, but could be reinstated in event of war
- Somalia — De jure – Conscription of males aged 18-40 and females aged 18-30 is authorized, but not currently utilized
- South Korea — 21-24 months for males aged 18-28 (scheduled to decrease to 18-22 months sometime in 2022)
- South Sudan — 12-24 months at age 18
- Spain — De jure – Conscription abolished in 2001, but government can draft citizens aged 19-25 in case of national emergency
- Sudan — 12-24 months for males and females aged 18-33
- Sweden — 7.5-15 months for males and females at age 18, eligible as reserves until age 47; however, only a portion of those who register are selected for service
- Switzerland — 245 days (18 weeks training + six 19-day recalls) for males aged 18-30
- Syria — 18 months for males aged 18-42
- Taiwan — 4 months for males aged 18-36 plus up to four 20-day training recalls
- Tajikistan — 24 months for males aged 18-27, an exemption can be purchased.
- Tanzania — (Limited information) No military conscription, but selective conscription for 24 months public service is authorized. Current enforcement levels are unclear.
- Thailand — 24 months for lottery-chosen males at age 21
- Timor Leste — (Limited information) Conscription authorized for males and females aged 18-30 for 18 months of service, but current level of implementation is unclear
- Tunisia — 12 months for ages 20-35
- Turkey — 6-12 months for males at age 20, an exemption can be purchased after 1 month of training
- Turkmenistan — 24-30 months for males aged 18-30
- Ukraine — 12-24 months for ages 20-27 – may be abolished soon
- United Arab Emirates — 16-24 months for males aged 18-30
- United States — De jure – The United States military has been all-volunteer since 1973. But an act of Congress could still reinstate the draft in case of a national emergency.
- Uruguay — De jure – Conscription currently inactive, but government is authorized to activate conscription in case of national emergency
- Uzbekistan — 12 months for males aged 18-27, shortened (1-month) term can be purchased, though purchaser will remain as reserve until age 27
- Venezuela — Forcible recruitment forbidden, but citizens aged 18-50 must register for possible 12 months military training and service. Those who cannot demonstrate compliance forfeit significant government benefits
- Vietnam — 24-36 months for males aged 18-27 (females eligible, but are not drafted)
Country | Mandatory Military Service | Details | 2022 Population |
---|---|---|---|
Afghanistan | unclear | (Information unavailable) | 40754.3880 |
Albania | No | Conscription abolished 2010 | 2866.3740 |
Algeria | Yes | 12 months for males aged 19-30 | 45350.1480 |
Angola | Yes | 24 months for males aged 20-45 | 35027.3430 |
Antigua And Barbuda | No | No conscription | 99.5090 |
Argentina | De jure | Conscription suspended in 1995, but government has authority to draft citizens into service Argentinians can still be drafted in times of crisis, national emergency, war, or if necessary to keep the military functional | 46010.2340 |
Armenia | Yes | 24 months for males 18-27. If enrolled in officer-producing program at university, can defer service until after graduation and serve as an officer | 2971.9660 |
Australia | No | Conscription abolished 1973 | 26068.7920 |
Austria | Yes | 6 months military service or 9 months alternative civil/community service for males 18 to 50 years old; reserves are subject to additional compulsory service | 9066.7100 |
Azerbaijan | Yes | 18 months for men 18-25 (12 months for university graduates) | 10300.2050 |
Bahamas | No | No conscription | 400.5160 |
Bahrain | No | No conscription | 1783.9830 |
Bangladesh | No | No conscription | 167885.6890 |
Barbados | No | No conscription | 288.0230 |
Belarus | Yes | 12-18 months military service or 24-36 months alternative service for males aged 18-27; duration depends upon academic qualifications. | 9432.8000 |
Belgium | No | Conscription abolished 1995 | 11668.2780 |
Belize | De jure | Law authorizes conscription if necessary, but as volunteers outnumber available positions 3:1, it has never been implemented | 412.1900 |
Benin | Yes | 18 months selective compulsory service for males and females aged 18-35; higher education degree required | 12784.7260 |
Bermuda | No | No conscription | 61.9390 |
Bhutan | Yes | Military training required for males 20-25, but full enlistment is voluntary | 787.9410 |
Bolivia | Yes | 12 months military service or 24 months Search and Rescue for males aged 18-22 | 11992.6560 |
Bosnia And Herzegovina | No | Conscription abolished 2005 | 3249.3170 |
Botswana | No | No conscription | 2441.1620 |
Brazil | Yes | 10-12 months for males aged 18-45 | 215353.5930 |
Brunei | No | No conscription | 445.4310 |
Bulgaria | No | Conscription ended 2007 | 6844.5970 |
Burkina Faso | No | No conscription | 22102.8380 |
Burundi | No | No conscription | 12624.8400 |
Cambodia | Yes | 18 months for males aged 18-30 | 17168.6390 |
Cameroon | No | No conscription | 27911.5480 |
Canada | No | No conscription | 38388.4190 |
Cape Verde | Yes | 24 months selective compulsory for males and females 18-35 | 567.6780 |
Central African Republic | No | No conscription | 5016.6780 |
Chad | Yes | 36 months for males age 20, 12 months for females age 21 (females can opt for civic service) | 17413.5800 |
Chile | Infrequent | 12 months (Army) to 22 months (Navy, Air Force) selective compulsory service for males 18-45 — But in practice, conscriptions occur only if too few volunteers enlist. | 19250.1950 |
China | De jure | De jure system (legally recognized, but not practiced). 24 months for males aged 18-22 — However, complusory recruitment has never been required | 1448471.4000 |
Colombia | Yes | 18 months for males aged 18-24 | 51512.7620 |
Comoros | No | No conscription | 907.4190 |
Croatia | No | Conscription abolished 2008 | 4059.2860 |
Cuba | Yes | 24 months for males aged 17-28 | 11305.6520 |
Curacao | No | No conscription | 165.5290 |
Cyprus | Yes | 14 months in Cypriot National Guard (CNG) for males aged 18-50 | 1223.3870 |
Denmark | Yes | 4-12 months training required for men at age 18. No immediate service required, but soldier remains eligible for further conscription until age 50 | 5834.9500 |
Djibouti | No | No conscription | 1016.0970 |
Dominican Republic | No | No conscription | 11056.3700 |
DR Congo | Yes | Law authorizes conscription of citizens aged 18-45 if necessary; degree of implementation is unclear | 95240.7920 |
Ecuador | No | Conscription suspended | 18113.3610 |
Egypt | Yes | 18-36 months for males 18-30, who then become reserves for 9 years | 106156.6920 |
El Salvador | Yes | 12 months (11 for officers and non-commissioned officers) selective compulsory service for males at age 18 | 6550.3890 |
Equatorial Guinea | Yes | 24 months selective compulsory for males at age 18, though conscription is rare in practice. | 1496.6620 |
Eritrea | Yes | 6 months training and 12 months national service (typically military) for males aged 18-40 and females aged 18-27. Service obligation may be (and often is) extended indefinitely | 3662.2440 |
Estonia | Yes | 8-11 months military or government service for males 18-27; duration depends on education, with NCOs, reserve officers, and specialists serving11 months | 1321.9100 |
Eswatini | No | No conscription | 1184.8170 |
Ethiopia | De jure | No ongoing compulsory military service, but the military may conduct compulsory callups when necessary | 120812.6980 |
Fiji | No | No conscription | 909.4660 |
Finland | Yes | 6-12 months military or border guard service for males at age 18, after which they become reserves until age 60 | 5554.9600 |
France | No | No conscription | 65584.5180 |
Gabon | No | No conscription | 2331.5330 |
Gambia | No | No conscription | 2558.4820 |
Georgia | Yes | 12 months for males aged 18-27 | 3968.7380 |
Germany | No | Conscription ended 2011 | 83883.5960 |
Ghana | No | No conscription | 32395.4500 |
Greece | Yes | 9 months (Air Force, Navy) to 12 months (Army) for males aged 19-45 | 10316.6370 |
Guatemala | Yes | 12-24 months selective conscription service for males aged 17-21, though conscription is rare in practice. | 18584.0390 |
Guinea | No | No conscription | 13865.6910 |
Guinea-Bissau | Yes | 24 months selective compulsory service for males and females aged 18-25 | 2063.3670 |
Guyana | No | No conscription | 794.0450 |
Honduras | No | No conscription | 10221.2470 |
Hungary | No | Conscription abolished 2005 | 9606.2590 |
India | No | No conscription | 1406631.7760 |
Indonesia | De jure | Selective conscription is authorized, but not currently utilized. Obligation is 18-24 months for males at age 18. | 279134.5050 |
Iran | Yes | 18-24 months for males at age 18 | 86022.8370 |
Iraq | No | No conscription | 42164.9650 |
Ireland | No | No conscription | 5020.1990 |
Israel | Yes | 32 months for men and 24 months for women (varies based on military occupation), 48 months for officers, 9 years for pilots; once finished, soldiers enter reserves until age 41-51 (men) or 24 (women) | 8922.8920 |
Italy | No | Conscription abolished 2004 | 60262.7700 |
Ivory Coast | De jure | Selective conscription of males and females aged 18-25 is authorized, but is not currently enforced. | 27742.2980 |
Jamaica | No | No conscription | 2985.0940 |
Japan | No | No conscription | 125584.8380 |
Jordan | Yes | 12 months for unemployed males 25-29; obligation consists of 3 months military training and 9 months of professional and technical training | 10300.8690 |
Kazakhstan | Yes | 12 months for males aged 18-27 | 19205.0430 |
Kenya | No | No conscription | 56215.2210 |
Kuwait | Yes | 12 months for males aged 18-35 | 4380.3260 |
Kyrgyzstan | Yes | 9 months (university graduates) to 12 months military or Interior Ministry service for males aged 18-27; after which they can become paid reserves for 3 years | 6728.2710 |
Laos | Yes | 18 months for males at age 18 | 7481.0230 |
Latvia | No | No conscription | 1848.8370 |
Lebanon | No | No conscription | 6684.8490 |
Lesotho | No | No conscription | 2175.6990 |
Liberia | No | No conscription | 5305.1170 |
Libya | No | No conscription | 7040.7450 |
Lithuania | Yes | 9 months for males aged 19-26 | 2661.7080 |
Luxembourg | No | No conscription | 642.3710 |
Madagascar | No | No conscription | 29178.0770 |
Malawi | No | No conscription | 20180.8390 |
Malaysia | No | No conscription | 33181.0720 |
Maldives | No | No conscription | 540.9850 |
Mali | Yes | 24 months selective compulsory for males and females at age 18 | 21473.7640 |
Malta | No | No conscription | 444.0330 |
Mauritania | No | No conscription | 4901.9810 |
Mauritius | No | No conscription | 1274.7270 |
Mexico | Yes | 12 months for lottery-selected males at age 18; after which they become reserves until age 40 | 131562.7720 |
Moldova | Yes | 12 months for males aged 18-27 - may be abolished soon | 4013.1710 |
Mongolia | Yes | 12 months Army, Air Force, or police service or 24 months civil service for males aged 18-27; after which they become reserves until age 45 | 3378.0780 |
Montenegro | No | Conscription abolished 2006 | 627.9500 |
Morocco | Yes | 12 months for males and females at age 19 | 37772.7560 |
Mozambique | Yes | 24 months of selective compulsory service for males and females aged 18-35 | 33089.4610 |
Myanmar | De jure | Law reintroducing conscription passed in 2010, but has not yet entered into force | 55227.1430 |
Namibia | No | No conscription | 2633.8740 |
Nepal | No | No conscription | 30225.5820 |
Netherlands | No | Conscription abolished 1996 | 17211.4470 |
New Zealand | No | No conscription | 4898.2030 |
Nicaragua | No | No conscription | 6779.1000 |
Niger | Yes | 24 months selective compulsory service in military (females may also serve in health care) for unmarried males and females at age 18; reportedly not always enforced | 26083.6600 |
Nigeria | No | No conscription | 216746.9340 |
North Korea | Yes | 8 years (males) to 5 years (females) military service at age 17 | 25990.6790 |
North Macedonia | No | Conscription abolished 2007 | 2081.3040 |
Norway | Yes | 19 months (12 months plus 4-5 refreshers) for males and females aged 19-44 (18-55 in wartime). However, more than 80% are released from service. | 5511.3700 |
Oman | No | No conscription | 5323.9930 |
Pakistan | No | No conscription | 229488.9940 |
Papua New Guinea | No | No conscription | 9292.1690 |
Paraguay | Yes | 12 months (Army) to 24 months (Navy) for males at age 18 | 7305.8430 |
Peru | No | No conscription | 33684.2080 |
Philippines | No | No conscription | 112508.9940 |
Poland | No | No conscription | 37739.7850 |
Portugal | De jure | Compulsory service abolished 2004. Conscription authorized, but is not currently enforced. | 10140.5700 |
Qatar | Yes | 4-12 months (depending upon education and profession) for males 18-35 | 2979.9150 |
Republic Of The Congo | No | No conscription | 5797.8050 |
Romania | No | Conscription ended 2006 | 19031.3350 |
Russia | Yes | 12 months for males 18-27, after which they become reserves until age 50. May end conscription in near future. | 145805.9470 |
Rwanda | No | No conscription | 13600.4640 |
Saint Kitts And Nevis | No | No conscription | 53.8710 |
Saint Lucia | No | No conscription | 185.1130 |
San Marino | De jure | No organized conscription, but government has the authority to call up all citizens aged 16-60 to serve in the military under special circumstances. | 34.0850 |
Sao Tome and Principe | De jure | [Limited information] Conscription authorized for citizens at age 18, but is apparently unenforced. | 227.6790 |
Saudi Arabia | No | No conscription | 35844.9090 |
Senegal | Yes | 24 months selective compulsory service for males (and possibly females) at age 20 | 17653.6710 |
Serbia | No | Conscription abolished 2011 | 8653.0160 |
Seychelles | No | No conscription | 99.4260 |
Sierra Leone | No | No conscription | 8306.4360 |
Singapore | Yes | 24 months for males 18-21, who then become reserves until age 40 (enlisted) or 50 (officers) | 5943.5460 |
Slovakia | De jure | Conscription in peacetime suspended in 2004 | 5460.1930 |
Slovenia | No | Conscription abolished in 2003, but could be reinstated in event of war | 2078.0340 |
Somalia | De jure | Conscription of males aged 18-40 and females aged 18-30 is authorized, but is not currently enforced | 16841.7950 |
South Africa | No | No conscription | 60756.1350 |
South Korea | Yes | 21 months (Army), 23 months (Navy) or 24 months (Air Force) for males 18-28 (scheduled to decrease to 18-22 months sometime in 2022) | 51329.8990 |
South Sudan | Yes | 12-24 months for citizens (gender requirements unclear) at age 18 | 11618.5110 |
Spain | De jure | Conscription abolished 2001, but government has right to mobilize citizens aged 19-25 years in case of national emergency | 46719.1420 |
Sri Lanka | No | No conscription | 21575.8420 |
Sudan | Yes | 12-24 months for males and females 18-33 | 45992.0200 |
Suriname | No | No conscription | 596.8310 |
Sweden | Yes | 7.5 months (Army), 7-15 months (Navy), or 8-12 months (Air Force) for males and females aged 18-47, after which they become reserves until age 47. However, only a portion of those who register are selected for service | 10218.9710 |
Switzerland | Yes | 245 days (18 weeks) training for males 18-30, followed by six 19-day recalls over next 10 years | 8773.6370 |
Syria | Yes | 18 months for males aged 18-42 | 19364.8090 |
Taiwan | Yes | 4 months military training for males aged 18-36 (civil service can be substituted in some cases), plus up to four 20-day training recalls over next 8 years. | 23888.5950 |
Tajikistan | Yes | 24 months for males aged 18-27; an exemption can be purchased for US$2,200 as of 2021 | 9957.4640 |
Tanzania | unclear | No military conscription, but selective conscription for 24 months public service is authorized. Current enforcement levels are unclear | 63298.5500 |
Thailand | Yes | 24 months for lottery-chosen males at age 21 | 70078.2030 |
Timor-Leste | Uncertain | Conscription of males and females aged 18-30 for 18 months of service was authorized in 2007, but current enforcement levels are unclear | 1369.4290 |
Togo | No | No conscription | 8680.8370 |
Tonga | No | No conscription | 107.7490 |
Trinidad And Tobago | No | No conscription | 1406.5850 |
Tunisia | Yes | 12 months for ages 20-35 (gender requirements unclear) | 12046.6560 |
Turkey | Yes | 6-12 months for males at age 20 (6 months for privates and non-commissioned officers and 12 months for reserve officers); an exemption can be purchased after 1 month of training for 31,000 Lira (approx US$3115) as of 2019 | 85561.9760 |
Turkmenistan | Yes | 24 months (30 months for Navy) for males aged 18-30 | 6201.9430 |
Uganda | No | No conscription | 48432.8630 |
Ukraine | Yes | 12 months for ages 20-27 (gender requirements unclear); conscripts cannot serve on front lines. Conscription may be abolished in the near future | 43192.1220 |
United Arab Emirates | Yes | 24 months (16 months for secondary school graduates) for males aged 18-30 | 10081.7850 |
United Kingdom | No | Conscription abolished 1963 | 68497.9070 |
United States | De jure | De jure system. No conscription currently active, but Selective Service retains right to randomly "draft" males aged 18-25 in time of need. " | 334805.2690 |
Uruguay | De jure | No military conscription currently active, but government has the authority to conscript in emergencies. | 3496.0160 |
Uzbekistan | Yes | 12 months for males aged 18-27; shortened (1-month) term can be purchased and requires remaining in reserves until age 27 | 34382.0840 |
Venezuela | Yes | "Forcible recruitment" forbidden but all citizens aged 18-50 must register for possible military training and service. Those who refuse forfeit many government benefits including right to obtain driver's license and attend university." | 29266.9910 |
Vietnam | Yes | 24-36 months for males 18-27 (females eligible, but are not drafted) | 98953.5410 |
Yemen | No | Conscription abolished 2001 | 31154.8670 |
Zambia | No | No conscription | 19470.2340 |
Zimbabwe | No | No conscription | 15331.4280 |