Europe and Eurasia: S - Z

Compulsory recruitment took place in the year an individual turned 18 and the minimum age for voluntary recruitment was 18.

There were no reports of under-18s serving in the armed forces, but 16-year-olds could be recruited in time of war or emergency.

Conscription was abolished in 2006. There were no reports of under-18s serving in the armed forces.

There were no reports of under-18s serving in the armed forces.

There were no reports of under-18s in government forces.

There were no reports of under-18s in the armed services, although children could participate in military training programs from the age of 15.

Both compulsory and voluntary enlistment in the Swiss armed forces before the age of 18 was explicitly prohibited.

Weapons training could begin in school for senior students. There were some allegations of illegal conscription of under-18s into the armed forces.

In a state of emergency or partial mobilization, individuals aged 15 and over were apparently liable for service in civil defence forces.

The minimum age for voluntary recruitment was 17. Conscripts were employed in non-military roles to save government expenditure but were often unpaid.

Orphans and the children of military personnel could be given intensive preparation for military careers from the age of 15, and 17-year-olds could enrol in a higher military education institution.

The UK appeared to intensify its efforts to recruit under-18s with a range of recruitment methods during the reporting period, at the same time strengthening safeguards for their protection.

There were no reports of under-18s in the armed forces.