77% of young Taiwanese willing to fight for country --- TAIWAN NEWS

76% of Filipinos aged 16-29 ready to fight for country TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — An article in the Economist on April 17 said the willingness to fight among Taiwan's youth is relatively high, due to the potential of a major conflict with China. In an article titled “Would you really die for your country?” it said some developed countries face a problem with recruitment, as “today’s career-oriented, individualistic young people are reluctant to join up.” In response, some countries are reconsidering mandatory military service, while Taiwan is extending its conscription. Two years after Russia's invasion, a chronic shortage of troops has forced Ukraine to lower the minimum age of conscription from 27 to 25. Following the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, 300,000 reported for duty, but as the war drags on, Israel is considering extending male conscription from 32 months to 36 months. As China continues to build its forces and U.S.-China tensions rise, Taiwan lengthened its compulsory military service from four months to one year in 2024. However, it still needs to find new ways to recruit since it only has 169,000 soldiers to China's 2 million. The article noted that developed countries have found youths increasingly “averse to fighting even in defensive wars.” In the latest World Values Survey from 2017-2022, respondents were asked “If it were to come to that, would you be willing to fight for your country?” History is thought to be a factor in some cases. In countries that lost World War II, only 45% of young people in Germany would be willing to fight, 34% in Italy, and 13% in Japan. However, countries that face potential war show higher rates of willingness to fight. In Taiwan, 77% answered “yes” to the question, while 23% said “no.” In the Philippines, 76% expressed willingness to fight, while 24% did not. China, which is engaged in territorial disputes with some of its neighbors, had a very high percentage of 88.6 answering yes, and only 10.2% selecting no. The article cited the Swedish approach to mandatory service as potentially serving as a future model with 80% of conscripts saying they would recommend military service to their peers. In comparison, 30% are interested in re-enlisting. “Because more young people qualify than are needed, only the best candidates make it in, and military service looks good on one’s CV,” wrote the author. This “Nordic model” could help build a bridge between civilians and the military, making service in the armed forces a “natural part of life” and a viable career path. However, the strongest motivator is still likely war itself. Andrei, a former TV producer now serving for Ukraine in the east of the country, was cited as saying “It is fear that moves you to action."

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