Who are the conscripts? – quantitative analysis of conscription data 2014–2020

The compulsory military service plays an important role in the recruitment of personnel to the Norwegian Armed Forces. It is therefore important to study the characteristics of the conscripts. The introduction of universal conscription was a significant change for the Armed Forces. The change means that women born 1997 or later have the same conscription duty as men.

In this report, we study how the percentage of female conscripts has evolved since the introduction of universal conscription in the Armed Forces in general as well in the different types of service. We also study the distribution of conscripts by age, place of living, school background and motivation to serve. We base our analysis on data from the selection process and the service.

The percentage of women in the compulsory military service showed an increase with the universal conscription in 2016, and it has continued to increase in the following years. By the start of 2020, more than 30 percent of the conscripts are female. The Air Force have the highest share of women, while it is lowest in The Army. It is also large differences between different units within the Armed Forces, with equal share of men and women in some units, and less than 20 percent women in others.

The conscripts come from all parts of Norway, but regions Trøndelag and Viken have the strongest representation. Around 40 percent serve in Troms and Finnmark, the northernmost region in Norway, and among these conscripts, the locals have high representation compared to the size of the population.

More than 50 percent of the conscripts have a background from general studies in their secondary education, while around 15 percent have vocational training in craft or technical studies. The numbers do not compare easily to the complete annual age cohort.

The vaste majority of the conscripts serve on their own wish. The percentage of unmotivated conscripts is larger among women compared to men, and it is increasing.

Data records from the Armed Forces is the basis for this study, which gives an overview of who the conscripts are. The results can be part of a platform of knowledge for further research.