Netherlands

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Previous reports: 2023/24




Conscription currently imposed? No

Suspended 1997.

Could be reinstated in war; military registration still enforced.
Conscientious objection first recognised 1922 Constitutional amendment
CO release of professional soldiers – May apply under general Act on Conscientious Objection to Military Service. Legal appeal possible in case of refusal.
Minimum recruitment age 17 Voluntary recruitment
Population 1
Total % males 15-19 Thus approx. annual cohort reaching 18
17,772,378 2.8% 99,525
Armed forces
Total strength Of which conscripts Compared to annual cohort above
33,650 – Total strength is 33.8% of cohort
Military expenditure
$ (% change from 2023) Per capita % of GDP
23,179m (+35.0%) $1,276 1.9%
  1. Population and armed forces figures are derived from The Military Balance 2025, published by the international Institute for Strategic Studies; military expenditure figures are estimates published by SIPRI (The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) in April 2025. ⤴