10 Countries with Compulsory Military Services

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Compulsory military service is a state-mandated enlistment of citizens to serve in the military to protect their country. According to the World Population Review, conscription is still practiced by at least 86 countries worldwide.

It is not only for national security but also has a political function, such as overcoming unemployment, building national identity, or establishing territorial control. 

Here are ten countries that require military service, as summarized from various sources:

1. North Korea

According to the World Atlas, both men and women are required to serve in the military, with men serving for ten years and women for five years. As of 2015, women in North Korea must serve in the military after graduating from high school until they reach the age of 23. North Korea has one of the largest armed forces in the world with 6,455,000 troops.

2. Israel

Israel has been a pioneer in military conscription for decades. It is mandatory for both men and women, excluding nursing and pregnant women. There are some people who are exempt from military service because of their religious affiliation.

3. Norway

Norway has an interesting history of conscription. It used to be compulsory only for men between the ages of 19 and 44. In 2016, the Norwegian parliament passed a law to include women in military service to improve gender equality.

4. Russia

Conscription has existed in Russia for a long time since the Russian Empire under the leadership of Dmitry Milyutin in 1874. Since then, it has been mandatory for male citizens for 12-18 months with an age limit of 27 years.

5. South Korea

Citing repository.uksw.edu, military conscription in South Korea has a long history and is one of the country's most basic national defense systems. On August 15, 1948, after the establishment of the first legitimate government, South Korea established a policy requiring its citizens to serve as soldiers for national defense.

6. Thailand

Conscription in Thailand is carried out for 24 months for men selected by lottery at the age of 21, unless they really want to volunteer, according to The Thailand Life. This is regulated by the Thai Military Service Law of 1954.

7. Singapore

According to Decode UAI, Singapore requires males from the age of 18 to serve in the military for 22-24 months. Most of those who undergo military training are assigned to the armed forces.

8. Algeria

Military service is mandatory for all healthy Algerian males over the age of 19 and must be completed in two years, according to thesoldiersproject.org. At the age of 17, Algerian males are expected to submit a copy of their birth certificate to register on the national conscription list.

9. Armenia

As in Algeria, military service in Armenia lasts two years and is compulsory only for males between the ages of 18 and 27. Anyone evading it can be sentenced to a maximum of three years in prison.

10. Estonia

In Estonia, men between the ages of 18 and 27 must serve 8-11 months in the military, intended to train them and provide them with the basics as a mitigation measure. Estonian citizens abroad are still expected to perform military service.

FANI RAMADHANI | ANANDA RIDHO SULISTYA

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