Taiwan: Flailing defence conscriptions
Femy Francis
On 16 November, an editorial in SCMP reported that Taiwan is debating about drafting of young men and compulsory conscription as tensions with China increase. The government in Taiwan have currently increased the terms of conscription, which states that they must serve up to one year. A poll by My Formosa found that 52.2 per cent of the respondents were unwilling to sacrifice their lives to defend Taiwan if the war broke out. Two years prior, only 40.2 per cent stated that they were willing to die for the country, and the most reluctance came from young adults.
On 14 November, New Taipei prosecutors indicted 12 people, out of whom five were entertainers who paid for false medical reports to evade compulsory military services. These are the second round of charges after 28 individuals were indicted in June for similar offences. The court claimed that the suspect used false blood pressure reports to avoid enlistment. New Taipei police questioned the five entertainers in late October as part of the latest investigation, with all five later released on bail.
On 11 November, Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan submitted a report stating that their military is facing worsening manpower crises as the number of volunteers falls. This has raised concerns that it could undermine combat readiness. Legislative Yuan’s Budget Centre reported that the troop numbers fell from 88.6 per cent in 2020 to 78.6 per cent in 2024, and by June of 2025, they saw a further decrease of 75.6 per cent. In the recent military budget plan of 2026, even though their defence spending has increased, they still need well-trained professionals. The cabinet also approved a USD 29.2 billion defence budget in light of growing Chinese aggression.
Taiwan’s conscription law
According to the law, all make of 19 years of age and 40 years of age are obligated to render mandatory military services. Taiwan has always struggled to have enough volunteers for their military program, especially among young people. Considering that the Taiwanese government has been reducing the term of military service required from two years to one, and then later to four months. This lack of enlistments and active-duty volunteer force is a major problem for Taiwan. In 20224, Taiwan announced its new plan to have a one-year program of conscripted services by the Ministry of National Defence. Taiwan’s Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General (LtGen.) Chen Chien-yi announced “One Year Mandatory Military Service Training and Reorganising Survey.” Under the Punishment Act for Violation of the Military Service System, individuals who obstruct military services can be imprisoned for five years for a range of offences.
References
“Taiwan draft dodging concerns highlight growing public unease over military service,” SCMP, 16 November 2025
“5 Taiwanese entertainers indicted for evading military service,” Focus Taiwan, 14 November 2025
“Taiwan Initiates Its New One-Year Military Conscription Program,” Global Taiwan, 07 February 2024
“Taiwan’s military reform is failing where it matters most,” Defence News, 14 June 2025
