ARCHIVE // ZA // TIME-SERIES
Military service age and obligation
South Africa — 21 years of data
Historical Values
| Year | Value |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women have a long history of military service in non-combat roles - dating back to World War I (2004) |
| 2006 | 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women have a long history of military service in noncombat roles, dating back to World War I (2004) |
| 2007 | 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women have a long history of military service in noncombat roles dating back to World War I (2004) |
| 2008 | 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women have a long history of military service in noncombat roles dating back to World War I (2004) |
| 2009 | 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women are eligible to serve in noncombat roles; 2-year service obligation (2007) |
| 2010 | 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women are eligible to serve in noncombat roles; 2-year service obligation (2007) |
| 2011 | 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women are eligible to serve in noncombat roles; 2-year service obligation (2007) |
| 2012 | 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women are eligible to serve in noncombat roles; 2-year service obligation (2007) |
| 2013 | 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women are eligible to serve in noncombat roles; 2-year service obligation (2012) |
| 2014 | 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women are eligible to serve in noncombat roles; 2-year service obligation (2012) |
| 2015 | 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women are eligible to serve in noncombat roles; 2-year service obligation (2012) |
| 2016 | 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women are eligible to serve in noncombat roles; 2-year service obligation (2012) |
| 2017 | 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women are eligible to serve in noncombat roles; 2-year service obligation (2012) |
| 2018 | 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women are eligible to serve in noncombat roles; 2-year service obligation (2012) |
| 2019 | 18-26 years of age for voluntary military service; women are eligible to serve in noncombat roles; 2-year service obligation (2019) |
| 2020 | 18-26 years of age for voluntary military service; women are eligible to serve in noncombat roles; 2-year service obligation (2019) |
| 2021 | 18-26 years of age for voluntary military service; women are eligible to serve in noncombat roles; 2-year service obligation (2021) |
| 2022 | 18-22 (18-26 for college graduates) years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; 2-year service obligation (2022) note: in 2019, women comprised about 30% of the military |
| 2023 | 18-22 (18-26 for college graduates) years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; 2-year service obligation (2023) note: in 2020, women comprised about 30% of the military |
| 2024 | 18-22 (18-26 for college graduates) years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; 2-year service obligation (2023) note: in 2023, women comprised nearly 30% of the military |
| 2025 | 18-22 (18-26 for college graduates) years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; initial 24-month service obligation (2025) note: in 2023, women comprised nearly 30% of the military |