In the latest intake to Latvia’s National Defence Service, approximately one quarter of those beginning military service did not volunteer, but were called up through a lottery system, according to data released by the Latvian authorities.

Latvia reinstated compulsory military service for men aged 18 to 27 at the beginning of 2024. Since then, recruitment has taken place twice a year—winter and summer. The system combines volunteers with conscripts selected at random whenever the number of voluntary applicants is insufficient to meet the planned quotas.

In January 2026, 111 new recruits began their service. Of these, 78 joined voluntarily, while 33 were drafted under compulsory service, having been selected by lottery from among eligible citizens.

Data from successive intakes reveal a fairly stable pattern: the majority of young people entering the armed forces do so voluntarily, but around 25% of recruits are conscripted in order to ensure adequate force levels. This indicates that voluntary enlistment alone is not sufficient to meet the manpower targets set by the state.

The recruitment process is organised by the Ministry of Defence and the relevant National Defence Service authorities. Individuals selected for service are summoned for medical examinations and formal eligibility checks. Failure to appear when called may result in administrative proceedings, including fines of up to €750.

Both volunteers and conscripts serve an 11-month term in units of the Latvian National Armed Forces. The purpose of the service is to strengthen the country’s defence capabilities, particularly in the context of ongoing security tensions and risks in North-Eastern Europe.

Although voluntary enlistment still predominates—encouraged by higher pay and additional benefits—the regular use of conscription demonstrates the scale of the challenges facing Latvia’s defence system. Maintaining a sufficient number of trained soldiers is regarded as crucial for national security in the current geopolitical environment.