Denmark is extending compulsory military enlistment to women, allowing them to join the lottery system, amid rising military needs due to global tensions.

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Denmark’s military is undergoing a significant transformation as it extends compulsory enlistment to women for the first time. This move, effective from 2025-06-30 22:25:00, aims to bolster the number of young recruits amid rising global tensions and NATO’s increasing military investments.

6 Key Takeaways Denmark extends military enlistment to women.

Women enter lottery for compulsory service.

Change driven by Russian aggression concerns.

Gender-parity reforms accelerated to summer 2023.

Expected increase in annual conscripts by 2033.

Mixed reactions among women about enlistment.

Women who turn 18 after this date will now enter the lottery system for military service, joining their male counterparts. Currently, women can serve voluntarily, but this change reflects Denmark’s commitment to gender parity in defense roles, especially in light of Russian aggression.

As Katrine, a 20-year-old service member, stated, “In the situation the world is in now, it’s needed.” This initiative is part of broader reforms outlined in a 2024 defense agreement, with expectations to increase annual conscripts from 4,700 to 6,500 by 2033.

Fast Answer: Denmark’s military will now include women in compulsory enlistment, reflecting a commitment to gender equality amid rising global security concerns.

This historic shift raises important questions about gender roles in military service. Will this change encourage more women to pursue careers in defense? The implications for Denmark and NATO are significant, as military readiness becomes increasingly vital.

Increased military personnel may enhance national security.

Gender parity could inspire similar reforms in other countries.

Young women may face new opportunities and challenges.

This change underscores the global trend towards inclusive military policies, highlighting the importance of equal participation in national defense.

As Denmark takes this bold step, it sets a precedent for other nations. Will we see more countries follow suit in promoting gender equality within their armed forces?

With Europe feeling the threat of Russian aggression, Denmark is bulking up its military by making women subject to the draft for the first time in the nation’s history. Both men and women may still volunteer, but the ranks will be filled out by a gender-neutral draft lottery.

Some female troops told The Associated Press that they believe the new rules are “fair” and “right” in putting women on equal ground with men. Under the new requirements passed by Denmark’s parliament earlier this month, Danish women who turn 18 after Tuesday, July 1, will enter the lottery system along with their male counterparts.

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Bulking up military amid Russian aggression

The move comes as Russia ramps up attacks in the fourth year of its war against Ukraine, and as NATO nations increase defense spending, fearing Moscow could target them next.

Denmark currently appears relatively safe from threats from Moscow. However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has left a mark on military training as soldiers learn of new developments on the battlefield.

The Scandinavian nation moved up changes to its draft from 2027 to 2025 because of “the current security situation,” Col. Kenneth Strom, head of the Danish conscription program, told the AP.

“They could simply take part in NATO collective deterrence,” Strom said. “Raising the number of conscripts, that would simply lead to more combat power.”

The change is expected to increase the number of Danish citizens performing military service by almost 40% over the next eight years, to 6,500. The country has another 9,000 professional troops.

Under current law, able-bodied men are required to perform military service after they turn 18. Both men and women may volunteer, but open slots are filled through a draft system that previously drafted only men. Women made up roughly 25% of the country’s enlistees in 2024.

Denmark joins other Scandinavian countries that include women in the draft. In 2017, Sweden implemented a military draft for both males and females, citing security concerns in Europe. Norway has required military conscription for both men and women since 2013.

Other notable changes

The new rules also extend compulsory service from four months to 11 months. Draftees will spend their first five months in basic training and the following six months in military operations and additional training.

The change is part of a broader effort to enhance Denmark’s military capabilities.

Earlier this year, the Danish government announced it would allocate $7 billion to increase its defense spending to more than 3% of its gross domestic product (GDP). The money went into what is known as the Acceleration Fund, which is partly financing the enlarged conscription program.

“We see a sharpened security situation in Europe,” Rikke Haugegaard, a researcher from the Royal Danish Defense College, told the AP. “We have the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. We have focus on the Baltic countries, where Denmark is contributing a lot of soldiers. So, I think it’s a general effort to strengthen Danish defense.”

Concerns over requirement

However, Haugegaard pointed out several potential problems, including equipment that is not designed for females and too few barracks, which has led to concerns over possible sexual harassment.

“For the next year or two, we will be building a lot of new buildings to accommodate all these people,” Haugegaard said. “So, it will be a gradual process.”

Women can be drafted into the Danish military

REFORMS: Under new rules passed by Denmark’s parliament, women as well as men who turn 18 after today would be entered into a military service lottery

AP, HOVELTE, Denmark

Peering across a dense stretch of woodland outside of Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, with camouflage paint smeared across her face, 20-year-old Katrine scans the horizon for approaching threats.

After nearly four months of military training, the young soldier and the rest of her unit earlier this month completed their final exercises near the Danish army’s barracks in Hovelte, 25km north of Copenhagen.

Katrine and other female soldiers, who spoke on the condition that only their first names be used because of operational security, volunteered for military service earlier this year. Until now, that was the only way for women to be part of the armed forces.

Katrine, a 20-year-old conscript, poses for a photograph during the final exercises at a training area close to the Royal Danish Army barracks in Hovelte, near Copenhagen, on June 11. Photo: AP

The Scandinavian country is seeking to increase the number of young people in the military by extending compulsory enlistment to women for the first time. Men and women can still volunteer, and the remaining places would be filled by a gender-neutral draft lottery.

“In the situation the world is in now, it’s needed,” Katrine said. “I think it’s only fair and right that women participate equally with men.”

Under new rules passed by Denmark’s parliament earlier this month, Danish women who turn 18 after today would be entered into the lottery system, on equal footing with their male compatriots. The change comes against a backdrop of Russian aggression and growing military investment across NATO countries.

Even from the relative safety of Denmark, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 casts its shadow. Lessons from the Ukrainian battlefields have even filtered down into their training.

“That makes it very real,” Katrine said.

Denmark’s gender-parity reforms were originally outlined last year as part of a major defense agreement. The program was originally expected to be implemented by early 2027, but has been brought forward to this year.

Colonel and head of the conscription program Kenneth Strom said the move is based on “the current security situation.”

“They could take part in NATO collective deterrence,” Strom said. “Raising the number of conscripts would simply lead to more combat power.”

Denmark, a nation of 6 million people, has about 9,000 professional troops. The new arrangement is expected to bring up to 6,500 annual conscripts by 2033, up from 4,700 last year.

Under Danish law, all physically fit men aged 18 and older are called up for military service, but because there are usually enough volunteers, there is a lottery system, so not all young men serve.

By contrast, women could only volunteer previously, making up about one-quarter of last year’s cohort.

The duration of service is also being extended from four to 11 months. Conscripts would first spend five months in basic training, followed by six months of operational service, plus additional lessons.

The move is part of a broader military buildup by the Nordic nation.

In February, Denmark’s government announced plans to bolster its military by setting up a US$7 billion fund that it said would raise the country’s defense spending to more than 3 percent of GDP this year.

Parts of the conscript program are being financed by the so-called Acceleration Fund.

“We see a sharpened security situation in Europe. We have the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. We have focus on the Baltic countries, where Denmark is contributing a lot of soldiers. So, I think it’s a general effort to strengthen the Danish defense,” Royal Danish Defense College researcher Rikke Haugegaard said.

However, Haugegaard said that there are many challenges, from ill-fitting equipment and a lack of additional barracks, to potential cases of sexual harassment.

“For the next year or two, we will be building a lot of new buildings to accommodate all these people. So, it will be a gradual process,” she said.

In 2017, neighboring Sweden instituted a military draft for men and women after its government spoke of a deteriorating security environment in Europe.

Norway introduced its own law applying military conscription to both sexes in 2013.

Looking across a dense forest expanse outside Denmark’s capital with camouflage paint smeared across her face, 20-year-old Katrine scans the horizon for approaching threats.

After nearly four months of military training, the young soldier and the rest of her unit spent the beginning of June completing their final exercises near the Danish army barracks in Hovelte, 25 kilometers north of Copenhagen, the Telegraph reports.

Katrine and other female soldiers, all of whom spoke to The Associated Press on June 11 on condition that only their names be used for operational security reasons, volunteered for military service earlier this year.

Until now, this was the only way women were allowed to participate in military service, although women have been able to register as full-time members of the armed forces since the early 70s.

The Scandinavian country is looking to boost the number of young people in the military by expanding compulsory conscription to women for the first time. Men and women can still volunteer, and the remaining spots will be filled through a gender-neutral recruitment lottery.

“In the situation the world is in now, it’s necessary. I think it’s right for women to participate equally with men,” said Katrine.

Under new rules approved by the Danish parliament in early June, Danish women who turn 18 after Tuesday will be entered into the lottery system on equal terms with their male compatriots. The change comes against a backdrop of Russian aggression and growing military investment across NATO countries.

Even from the relative safety of Denmark, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine casts its shadow. Lessons from the Ukrainian battlefield have filtered into their training.

“This makes it very real,” said Katrine.

Denmark’s gender equality reforms were originally set for 2024 as part of a major protectionist agreement. The program was originally expected to be implemented by early 2027, but has been pushed back to summer 2025.

Colonel Kenneth Strøm, head of the recruitment program, told the AP that the move is based on the “current security situation.”

“They can participate in NATO’s collective deterrence. Increasing the number of recruits, that would simply lead to more combat power,” Strøm added.

Denmark, a nation of 6 million, has about 9,000 professional troops. The new agreement is expected to bring the number up to 6,500 people performing military service each year by 2033, up from 4,700 last year.

Under Danish law, all able-bodied men over the age of 18 are called up for military service. Some people – both men and women – volunteer, and the rest of the places are filled by a lottery system that has so far only included men. Female volunteers make up about a quarter of the 2024 cohort.

“Some will probably be very disappointed to be chosen to go into the army. Some will probably be surprised and will like it a lot more than they think,” said Anne Sofie, part of Katrine’s volunteer group, of the new female recruits.

The length of service is also being extended, from four to 11 months. Recruits will initially spend five months in basic training, followed by six months of operational service, plus additional training.

The move is part of a broader military buildup by the Nordic nation.

In February, Denmark’s government announced plans to strengthen its military by creating a $7 billion fund that it said would boost the country’s defense spending to more than 3% of gross domestic product this year. Parts of the conscription program are being financed by the so-called Acceleration Fund.

“We see a heightened security situation in Europe. We have the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. We are focused on the Baltic countries, where Denmark is contributing a lot of soldiers. So I think it is a general effort to strengthen Danish defense,” said researcher Rikke Haugegaard from the Royal Danish Defense College.

But Haugegaard notes that there are many challenges, from inadequate equipment and a lack of additional barracks, to possible cases of sexual harassment.

“For the next year or two, we will be building a lot of new buildings to accommodate all these people. So it will be a gradual process,” she added.

In 2017, neighboring Sweden introduced military conscription for both men and women after its government spoke of a deteriorating security environment in Europe.

Norway introduced its law implementing military conscription for both genders in 2013. /Telegraph/

Danish women to face conscription by lottery

Up to now, women were allowed to participate in military service when they turned 18, but on a voluntary basis.

The change was brought in as Nato countries boost defence spending amid heightened security concerns in Europe.

Under new rules passed by Denmark’s parliament, women are to join teenage males in a lottery system that could require them to undertake a period of conscription.

Danish women now face being called up for 11 months of military service when they turn 18, after a change in the law came into effect.

From Tuesday, both men and women turning 18 will be required to register to be assessed for potential military service. Volunteers will be recruited first, with the remaining numbers made up through the lottery system.

The change will also see the period of conscription for teenagers rise from four months to 11 months.

About 4,700 Danish men and women undertook a short period of military service in 2024 – about 24% of them being female volunteers. The new rules on conscription are expected to see the overall number doing military service annually rise to 6,500 by 2033.

Denmark is following the example of neighbouring Sweden and Norway, which both brought in conscription for women in recent years.

The government in March also announced a 40.5bn Danish crowns (£4.3bn, $5.9bn) increase in defence spending over the next five years to meet Nato targets.

There are about 9,000 professional personnel currently serving in Denmark’s military.

Colonel Kenneth Strom, head of the Danish military’s conscription programme, said the change was “based on a political decision and a political agreement made by the parties”.

He added: “And obviously, it’s based on the current security situation in order to get more combat power and have those skills that are needed for either the Army, Navy, Air Force or even the Special Operations Forces.”

Speaking to the Reuters news agency, Katrine, a current volunteer in Denmark’s military, said: “In the world situation we’re in right now, it’s necessary to have more conscripts, and I think that women should contribute to that equally, as men do.

“I think it’s a positive change.”