In this article, we look at the 5 biggest countries with mandatory military services. You can read why several countries are discussing the possibility of reintroducing conscription by heading over to our article titled 20 Biggest Countries With Mandatory Military Service, where we have also discussed situations where mandatory military service alone may not be sufficient to address a country’s security needs.
5. Russia
Due to heavy casualties in Ukraine, the Russian government announced last year to boost its armed forces personnel by 30% to 1.5 million troops. Starting 2024, any men aged between 18 and 30, can be called upon under a draft system to serve in the military for at least 12 months. Those who will be served draft notices will also be barred from leaving the country during their term of service determined by the Russian government.
4. Israel
All Israeli citizens that are either Jewish, Circassian, or Druze are required to serve in the Israel Defense Force (IDF) as part of mandatory military service. Men who are enlisted are expected to serve for a minimum of 32 months, while for women the service duration is at least 24 months. Israeli Arabs, religious women, and those citizens who are medically unfit are exempted from conscription. Mandatory military service was introduced in Israel since its declaration of independence in 1948.
3. Ukraine
All men aged between 18 and 60 are potentially subject to conscription according to the new mandatory military service rules after Russia invaded the country in February 2022. This has enabled the Ukrainian Armed Forces to fill the gaps in ranks left by casualties. Conscription has long been practiced in Ukraine. At the time when it was abolished in 2013, an estimated 40% of the Ukrainian soldiers were conscripts. Mandatory service was reinstated a year later after Russia annexed Crimea.
2. North Korea
Enlistment occurs twice a year in North Korea in the months of April and August. School graduates customarily enlist themselves upon turning 18. Men are required to offer mandatory military service for a period of 10 years. Women used to serve voluntarily until 2015 when Pyongyang introduced mandatory military service for women as well, which would begin after high-school graduation and end when they turn 23. North Korea has the longest period of conscription in the world.
1. South Korea
All South Korean men with an able-body, and age between 18 and 28, are required to serve for 1.5 to 2 years in the military as part of the mandatory conscription program to guard against the North Korean threat. There are exemptions however for artists and athletes who bring accolades for the country such as by winning a national or international award, a medal in the Olympic Games or the Asian Games.
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