×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Saturday
20
Dec 2025
weather symbol
Athens 13°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> World

The State Of Military Conscription Around The World (infographic)

Greece has always had compulsory military conscription

Newsroom December 4 10:07

Britain ended conscription back in 1957 and many European countries have since followed suit.

Yet, many countries across the world, including Greece still enforce compulsory military service. The practice is controversial for many reasons including opposition on religious grounds or conscientious objection to military engagements.

Many democracies still have some form of mandatory military service, but a good number are not enforcing the rules to their full extent anymore, resulting in a practice of limited conscription where only a minority of those subject to the law are actually drafted. In these cases, exceptions are generously granted, and/or a large number of military-aged men and women are rejected as unfit on broad grounds. In many countries, draft-dodging through bribes and favors is also a possibility that lowers actual enrollment.

also read

Has Europe Broken the Second Wave? (infographic)

Immediate US sanctions against Turkey for S-400 system

Fewer than 30 countries still actually require whole age cohorts to complete military service. Among them are Cuba and Colombia in Latin America; Angola, Eritrea, and South Sudan in Africa as well as Finland, Austria, and Switzerland in Europe (where substitute community service programs exist). Military service for all is more common in the Middle East. Israel, where both men and women join the military without many exceptions for two to three years, is a well-known example of this practice.

In Asia, Vietnam, Laos, North Korea, and South Korea still require universal military service. The latter country recently exempted another group from mandatory conscription. K-Pop stars are now able to postpone or forego the draft similar to athletes and classical artists.

>Related articles

Breaking – Mandatory vaccination for those over 60 with a fine of 100 euros each month

Minors 12-17 only allowed to enter public indoor spaces by presenting negative rapid test for past 48h

Covid-19 vaccination mandatory for Fire Services members of EMAK

source statista

Infographic: The State Of Military Conscription Around The World | Statista

You will find more infographics at Statista

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#mandatory#military conscription
> More World

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

The Trump family invited to a Greek house in Davos – Contacts with Greek business leaders and a private dinner at the Cresta hotel

December 20, 2025

Chain reactions from farmers’ protests – Booking cancellations of up to 50% in Thessaly and Epirus

December 20, 2025

Tsiaras’ statement on farmers’ demands: 74% have already been met, dialogue is a matter of responsibility

December 20, 2025

Rare video shows Domna Samiou teaching Cretan Christmas carols

December 20, 2025

Weather: Rain and drop in temperatures over the weekend – Unstable conditions through Christmas

December 20, 2025

Farmers remain unmoved: Blockades continue through Christmas, toll booths open over the weekend

December 20, 2025

Payment and relief map for 2026: What applies to farmers, pensioners, tenants, landowners and employees

December 20, 2025

Ruthless cartel tactics: Cocaine hidden in tons of manure, submarines, and even rockets attached to passenger ships

December 20, 2025
All News

> 2024 US Elections

How Trump was voted for by Latinos while being anti-immigrant and the women who didn’t support Kamala Harris

The big "gracias" Trump owes Latino voters and the women who didn't do all the work for Harris

November 7, 2024

US Election 2024: J.D. Vance, once a Trump critic, now set to become his Vice President

November 7, 2024

US elections 2024: Polling companies underestimated Trump for the third time in a row

November 7, 2024

US elections 2024: Why Trump will be able to govern as he imagines – The next steps

November 7, 2024

2024 US Elections: Harris called Trump to congratulate him

November 6, 2024
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2025 Πρώτο Θέμα