Denmark has announced a historic expansion of its conscription policy to implement mandatory military service for women, in a strategic move aimed at boosting troop numbers and strengthening national defense amid rising security tensions across Europe.
Under legislation passed by the Danish Parliament in June 2023, all women turning 18 after July 1, 2025, will be required to register for assessment days, similar to the existing process for men. These evaluations will determine their eligibility for military service. Until now, military enlistment for women in the Scandinavian nation has been strictly voluntary.
Mandatory military service for women
In 2024, women accounted for approximately 24% of Denmark's new recruits. The shift toward gender-inclusive mandatory service reflects the government’s determination to expand its military capacity as regional threats escalate.
“In the current global climate, we need more conscripts,” said Kathrine, a recruit in Denmark’s Royal Life Guards, speaking to Reuters. “I believe women should contribute equally alongside men.”
To accommodate the growing number of female recruits, the Danish Armed Forces are currently updating military camps and equipment to be more gender-inclusive.
In addition to including women in the draft, Denmark plans to gradually extend the duration of conscription from the current four months to 11 months by 2026. The total number of conscripts is expected to rise from around 5,000 today to 7,500 by 2033.
Why mandatory military service for women in Denmark
This move comes shortly after Denmark reaffirmed its commitment to NATO by agreeing to increase its defense spending in coordination with alliance partners.
With the new measures, Denmark joins a small group of countries enforcing gender-equal military policies as Europe continues to rethink its security strategies in response to global geopolitical shifts.
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