Conscription: how frequent?

Only 45% of governments worldwide require compulsory military service, a decrease from 80% in 1970. The practice of conscription dates back to ancient times and women are now drafted in over a dozen countries. Child soldiers are not included in conscription statistics, with over 18 million children serving in official and unofficial militaries worldwide. Official […]

What’s conscription?

Conscription is a controversial practice of forced military or labor service. It emerged during the French Revolution and is still used in some countries during times of need. Conscripts can opt out for religious or ethical reasons, and some countries offer non-military options for conscientious objectors. Conscription is expensive and can be corrupt, favoring those […]

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