In a major shift in national defense policy, Denmark has enacted a new law that subjects women to mandatory military conscription, aligning them with men in a lottery-based selection process. The law, which took effect this week, requires all Danish citizens—regardless of gender—to register for potential military service upon turning 18.
Previously, military service was compulsory only for men, while women could opt to enlist voluntarily. Under the new regulations, both genders will be entered into a lottery system after registration. Those who volunteer will be given priority, while any remaining positions will be filled through random selection.
The duration of conscription has also been extended significantly, increasing from four months to 11 months. This move comes as part of Denmark’s broader effort to strengthen its defense capabilities amid rising geopolitical tensions in Europe. The shift mirrors similar policies in neighboring Nordic countries such as Sweden and Norway, both of which have already implemented gender-neutral conscription.
Currently, around 4,700 Danes complete basic military training each year, with women accounting for about 24% of that number as volunteers. With the new law in place, the government anticipates increasing the annual number of conscripts to approximately 6,500 by the year 2033.
Colonel Kenneth Strom, who leads the Danish military's conscription program, emphasized that the change is rooted in political consensus and is a direct response to evolving security demands. He noted the importance of expanding military capacity across all branches, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Special Operations Forces.
The Danish government has also committed to a significant boost in defense spending, allocating an additional 40.5 billion Danish crowns (around £4.3 billion or $5.9 billion) over the next five years. This investment is part of Denmark’s pledge to meet NATO defense spending targets.
A current female conscript, identified only as Katrine, expressed support for the change. Speaking to Reuters, she said the updated policy reflects the reality of today’s global security climate and believes it is fair for women to share equal responsibility in national defense.
As Denmark adapts its military structure to modern threats, this landmark policy marks a significant step toward gender equality in national service.