Moldova (Republic of Moldova)

Conscription currently imposed?

Yes

Government Decision 601/2018 regarding the Programme “Professional Army 2018-2021” has not yet been implemented and currently is uncertain.

Conscientious objection first recognised

1992

Law on Religions 979/1992

 

Current provisions

 

 

Duration

Military service

Civilian service (% of military)

12 months

6 months for graduates

12 months (100%)

6 months for graduates (100%)

CO release of professional soldiers

–

No specific provision - would ultimately be decided by courts.

Minimum recruitment age

18

Enrolment in military schools from 17

Population

Total

% males 15-19

Thus approx. annual cohort reaching 18

3,051,000*

2.9

17,696

Armed forces

Total strength

Of which conscripts

Compared to annual cohort above

5,150

2,200 (42.7%)

29.1% (conscripts 12.4%)

Military expenditure

$ (% change from 2022)

Per capita

% of GDP

$93m (+95.6%)

$27.2

0.5%

 

* The population figure given in the table above has been adjusted to exclude the breakaway region of Transdniestria, population approximately 469,000, which is outside the effective control of the Moldovan government. Transdniestria maintains its own armed forces, quite apart from the Russian troops stationed there, and imposes conscription. In 2014 it reportedly instituted alternative service for conscientious objectors, but we have no details.