Taiwan Military Profile 2013

Military branches

Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force, Coast Guard Administration, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined Service Forces Command, Armed Forces Police Command

Military service age and obligation

19-35 years of age for male compulsory military service; service obligation - 2 years; women may enlist; women in Air Force service are restricted to noncombat roles; reserve obligation to age 30 (Army); the Ministry of Defense is in the process of implementing a voluntary enlistment system over the period 2010-2015, although nonvolunteers will still be required to perform alternative service or go through 4 months of military training (2010)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 6,183,567
females age 16-49: 6,006,676 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 5,074,173
females age 16-49: 4,951,088 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 166,190
female: 155,306 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

2.2% of GDP; note - in 2009, the Taiwanese president pledged to maintain defense spending at 3.0% or higher; projected 2.73% for 2011 (2009)