×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Thursday
15
Jan 2026
weather symbol
Athens 9°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

Trump signals possible fast strike on Iran as U.S. military moves intensify

January 15, 2026

Weather: Alcyonides until Friday with rising temperatures and weakening winds

January 15, 2026

Mitsotakis’ meeting with farmers: Blockades may ease after announced measures

January 15, 2026

Profile of the “businessman” arrested with weapons in Paleo Faliro: A criminal past of extortion, tax evasion, and robbery

January 15, 2026

What a new US operation against Iran would involve: the weapons and possible targets

January 15, 2026

FBI searches the home of a Washington Post journalist who covered the Trump administration’s firing of federal employees

January 14, 2026

RealPolls: New Democracy above its European election result, Plefsi returns to second place – With a change of leader ND loses nearly two points, PASOK gains 5.5

January 14, 2026

Countdown to a U.S. strike on Iran: Americans and Britons evacuate bases, direct assassination threat against Trump from Tehran – Live

January 14, 2026
All News

> World

Trump signals possible fast strike on Iran as U.S. military moves intensify

The United States appears to be preparing for possible military action against Iran, as signs of increased military activity continue to emerge in the Middle East

January 15, 2026

What a new US operation against Iran would involve: the weapons and possible targets

January 15, 2026

FBI searches the home of a Washington Post journalist who covered the Trump administration’s firing of federal employees

January 14, 2026

Countdown to a U.S. strike on Iran: Americans and Britons evacuate bases, direct assassination threat against Trump from Tehran – Live

January 14, 2026

Direct assassination threat against Trump from Iran: “This time the bullet will not miss the target”

January 14, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα