Slovenia

Conscription currently imposed?

No

Suspended 2003                        Could be reinstated in war time.

Conscientious objection first recognised

1991

Military Service Act, No. 18/1991

CO release of professional soldiers

–

No specific provisions

Minimum recruitment age

18

 

Population

Total

% males 15-19

Thus approx. annual cohort reaching 18

2,100,000

2.4

10,080

Armed forces

Total strength

Of which conscripts

Compared to annual cohort above

6,400

 

63.5%

Military expenditure

$ (% change from 2022)

Per capita

% of GDP

$908m (+17.1%)

$428.1

1.3%

Current situation

Since 2010, the Republic of Slovenia has only had professional armed forces, the contract reserve and volunteer soldiers doing voluntary military service.

Possibility for reintroducing mandatory military service was discussed in 2024, Defense Minister Marjan Šarc expressed opinion that it is too early to talk about it.[1] Military spending is increasing and professional army is promoted among youth with various promotion actions. Funds were allocated for a “TV reality show on army”, but the idea was abandoned after public criticism in 2023, particularly because of excessive budget intended for the show.[2]

 

[1] Bomo v Sloveniji ponovno uvedli obvezno služenje vojaškega roka? https://n1info.si/novice/slovenija/bomo-v-sloveniji-ponovno-uvedli-obvezno-sluzenje-vojaskega-roka/ 

[2] Šarec po vojake z resničnostnim šovom: je na razpisu izbrano podjetje sporno? https://n1info.si/novice/slovenija/sarec-po-vojake-z-resnicnostnim-sovom-je-na-razpisu-izbrano-podjetje-sporno/