# 76% of Lithuanian residents support universal conscription by 2030

According to a survey of Lithuanian residents’ attitudes towards universal conscription, a clear majority of the public - 76 per cent - would support a decision to remove the current restrictions on universal conscription by 2030. Of these, 51 per cent favour implementing universal conscription as soon as possible. More than 64 per cent of residents view women’s service positively, particularly when it is voluntary and offers different forms of participation.

“The latest public opinion survey shows that residents are ready and expect decision-makers to implement a broader universal conscription model within the next three years than the one currently in place in Lithuania. Support for its rapid implementation is high, extends across different social groups, and is consistent across regions, cities and towns. This is a significant message from society to the state,” said Tomas Godliauskas, Head of the Total Defence Association.

Demographic consensus on the urgent introduction of broader universal conscription

More than 25 per cent of respondents support implementing universal conscription by 2030, while 51 per cent favour introducing it “as soon as possible”. A further 8 per cent would support universal conscription after 2030, while 12 per cent believe Lithuania does not need it at all. Four per cent have no opinion on the issue.

“When assessing public opinion, we see a positive trend for Lithuania - a broad demographic consensus. Attitudes among urban and rural residents, women and men, and respondents with different levels of education and income are consistent with the overall national trend regarding the timeframe for implementing universal conscription, within the survey’s margin of error,” Godliauskas emphasised.

More noticeable differences emerge between age groups. Older respondents are more supportive of faster implementation, while participants aged 18-29 are less favourable. Within this age group, 41-45 per cent favour implementation as soon as possible, while 16 -19 per cent oppose universal conscription.

Residents support universal male conscription and expanded voluntary service opportunities for women

The largest group of respondents - 40 per cent - support a universal conscription model under which all young men would be called up for military service. A further 19 per cent would support compulsory universal conscription for both young men and women.

Almost 15 per cent support a fully professional armed forces model based on voluntary service, while approximately 23 per cent would prefer to retain the current conscription model. Just over 3 per cent have no opinion about the possible model.

When asked whether compulsory military service should also apply to women, more than 51 per cent responded positively, provided that women’s service remained voluntary and included a wider range of options. Almost 13 per cent believe women should serve under the same arrangements as men, while 35 per cent oppose women’s service. Less than 1 per cent have no opinion.

Approximately 10 per cent of female respondents support compulsory conscription for both young men and women. More than 48 per cent support including women in the universal conscription model by expanding voluntary service opportunities, while 41 per cent oppose applying compulsory military service to women.

Among male respondents, 16 per cent support compulsory conscription for women, 55 per cent favour voluntary service in a wider range of roles, and almost 28 per cent oppose compulsory conscription for women.

The attitudes of urban and rural residents and respondents of different ages and educational backgrounds towards universal conscription and women’s participation are consistent with the overall national trend within the survey’s margin of error. However, residents earning more than €1,500 per month are more supportive of women’s participation than the national average.

Alternative non-military service would provide the strongest incentive to support universal conscription

When assessing the factors that would most increase support for broader universal conscription, residents most frequently identified the opportunity to perform alternative, non-military service in civil protection, medicine, cybersecurity and other fields. This option was selected by more than 38 per cent of respondents.

Other factors expected to have the greatest positive effect included high-quality modern training, including skills in technology and drone operation, selected by 35 per cent of respondents; the opportunity to serve close to home, in one’s own region, selected by almost 29 per cent; fair remuneration during service and service by all social groups without exemptions, including people with influential connections, each selected by more than 23 per cent; and recognition of completed service when applying to or studying at a higher education institution, selected by almost 21 per cent.

“The views expressed by residents confirm that universal conscription is also a matter of social policy. Investment in universal conscription should therefore be regarded as an investment in society’s long-term well-being and social inclusion, rather than being treated solely as the military’s responsibility,” noted Godliauskas.

The representative survey of Lithuanian residents’ attitudes towards universal conscription was conducted by Norstat in August 2026 on behalf of the Total Defence Association. A total of 1,501 respondents were interviewed using a combination of online and telephone methods. The survey’s margin of error is 3 per cent.