|
This list has been compiled with information provided by the
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and is current as of 2001. The list is presented in alphabetical order. If you are aware of any
changes that should be made to this list please contact Teen Advice.
Countries with Conscription ("the Draft")
Afghanistan
Any and all men above the age of 18 for as long as needed.
Albania
Any and all men above the age of 18 for one to three years depending on the branch of
the armed forces.
Algeria
Any and all men above the age of 19 for six months (or longer if needed).
Angola
Any and all men from 18 to 50 (some reports put the youngest age at 16). Women of the same
age ranges with "special qualifications of interest to the armed forces." Note: those over 30 serve only in the
reserve force. No mandated minimum or maximum length of service.
Bolivia
Any and all men between the ages of 19 and 21 for one year (or more in times of war).
Cambodia
Any and all men above the age of 18 for three years, extendable by an additional six
months if needed.
Chile
Both men and women must register at the age of 18 and may be called up anytime between the
ages of 19 and 30 for up to two years of service.
China
Men aged 18 to 22 may be drafted into the army at any time; men aged 18 to 35 may be
drafted into the militia, or into the army during wartime. Term of service varies from between two and four years.
Colombia
Any and all males between the ages of 18 and 50 for one to two years.
Cuba
Any and all men over the age of 16 and under 50 for three years.
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Any and all men over the age of 16 and under 50 from 30 to 36 months.
Dominican Republic
Any and all men at or above the age of 18. No mandated minimum or maximum length of
service.
Ecuador
Any and all men at or above the age of 19 for one year.
Egypt
Any and all men between 18 and 30 for three years.
El Salvador
Unmarried men between the ages of 18 and 20 who are members of poorer socio-economic
groups. No mandated minimum or maximum length of service.
Equatorial Guinea
Any and all men at or above the age of 18. No mandated minimum or maximum length of
service.
Estonia
All men above the age of 18 are liable for compulsory military service, but at the
age of 17 a man can start the compulsory military service as a volunteer. In the case of early voluntary service,
the law gives a man the possibility of choosing the place where he wants to serve. From the ages of 18 to 27, every
young man has to perform active service. Service terms from 9 to 12 months.
Ethiopia
Men between the ages of 18 and 30, although there are reports of juveniles as young
as 12 being conscripted. Obligation to perform reserve duties from the age of 30 to the age of 50. Service terms
from 12 to 18 months.
Greece
Any and all men between the ages of 18 and 40. Service terms as follows: 21 months in
the army, 23 months in the air force and 25 months in the navy.
Guatemala
Men between the ages of 18 and 30: heads of families and middle-class students are
usually exempt. Service term is 30 months.
Guinea-Bissau
Any and all men at or above the age of 18. No mandated minimum or maximum length of
service.
Honduras
Any and all men between the ages of 18 and 30 with voluntary service being permitted
at 17. Service term is 2 years.
Georgia
Unknown ages, service is for two years.
Guinea
Any and all men between the ages of 18 and 30 for two years.
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Any and all men at or over the age of 18 for a two year active service with lifetime
reserve service.
Iraq
Any and all men at or over the age of 19 with voluntary service allowed at 18. Term
of service; two year active service with lifetime reserve service.
Israel
Men and women over 18, with non-Druze Israeli Arabs and Druze women exempted.
Service term: three years for men and two years for women, plus reserve duty of about one month in every year until
the age of 54.
Kazakstan
Unknown ages with unknown length of service.
Lao People's Democratic
Any and all males over the age of 15 for an 18 month term.
Republic of Lebanon
Any and all men at or over the age of 18. No mandated minimum or maximum length of
service.
Liberia
Unknown ages with unknown term of service.
Libyan Arab Jamahirya
Men and women between the ages of 18 and 35 for a three to four year term.
Madagascar
Unknown ages with unknown term of service.
Mexico
Any and all men between the ages of 18 and 40 for one year.
Mongolia
Any and all men at or over 18 for two years.
Morocco
Any and all men at or over 18 for 18 months.
Mozambique
Any and all men between 18 and 30 for two years.
Paraguay
Any and all men over 18 years of age; women of the same ages as non-combatants during
international (world) war for terms of 18 to 24 months.
Peru
All men over 18 and with voluntary service permitted at 16 years of age for two year
terms.
Philippines
Any and all men at or over 18. No mandated minimum or maximum length of service.
Republic of Korea
Any and all men at or over 18 from 30 to 36 months.
Romania
Any and all men between 20 and 35. Service terms are as follows; 12 months infantry,
18 months in the navy, university graduates only have to serve for 6 months.
Singapore
Unknown age requirements. Service is for two years' ordinary military service with an
additional three years' officer training (if elected).
Somalia
Any and all men aged between 18 and 40; women aged between 18 and 30 (although in
practice women are not normally drafted). Service terms as follows: two years general service (only 18 months for
graduates of higher educational institutions).
Sudan
Unknown ages with unknown term of service.
Thailand
Unknown ages with unknown term of service.
Tunisia
Any and all men over the age of 20 and with voluntary service permitted at 18,
unknown term of service.
Turkey
Any an all men between 20 and 65 (in practice men over 46 years of age are no longer
called up) for 18 months.
Venezuela
Any and all men at or over 18 for two years.
Viet Nam
Any and all men at or over 18 for three years.
Yemen
Unknown ages for terms of two to three years.
Next Page - Nations with NO Draft - Pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
|