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Historical Values
Year Value
2005 18 years of age (est.) (2001)
2006 18 years of age (est.) (2001)
2007 18 years of age (est.) (2001)
2010 note: since 2005, the UN has listed the Transitional Federal Government and its allied militias as persistent violators in recruiting child soldiers (2010)
2011 note: since 2005, the UN has listed the Transitional Federal Government and its allied militias as persistent violators in recruiting children (2010)
2012 note: since 2005, the UN has listed the Transitional Federal Government and its allied militias as persistent violators in recruiting children (2010)
2013 18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2012)
2014 18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2012)
2015 18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2012)
2016 18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2012)
2017 18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2012)
2018 18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2012)
2019 18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2012)
2020 18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2012)
2021 18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2021)
2022 18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscription is authorized but not currently utilized; women may volunteer (2021) note: in 2019, the Federal Government of Somalia renewed its commitment to end the recruitment and use of child soldiers by signing a roadmap detailing measures and practical actions to prevent violations against children, release children associated with armed forces, and reintegrate them into communities; the signing followed a similar acc
2023 18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service for men and women; conscription of men aged 18-40 and women aged 18-30 is authorized, but not currently utilized (2023) note: in 2019, the Federal Government of Somalia renewed its commitment to end the recruitment and use of child soldiers by signing a roadmap detailing measures and practical actions to prevent violations against children, release children associated with armed forces, and reintegrate them into communities; the signing
2024 18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service for men and women; conscription of men aged 18-40 and women aged 18-30 is authorized, but not currently utilized (2023)
2025 18-22 for voluntary military service for men and women in the Somali Armed Forces; compulsory service is reportedly authorized, but not currently utilized (2025)