Sweden Expands Civil Duty to Bolster National Resilience Amid Lessons From Ukraine

The Swedish government has announced a significant expansion of civil duty obligations starting from 2026, aiming to strengthen societal functionality during heightened readiness or wartime. This expansion is directly influenced by the experiences gleaned from the conflict in Ukraine, underlining the necessity of having properly trained personnel in critical roles.

Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin emphasized the importance of ensuring the right people receive the appropriate training and are positioned where they can contribute most effectively. The expansion makes it mandatory for young people to enlist and undergo long-term basic training similar to military conscription, with a primary focus on fire and rescue services. This new mandatory civil service aims to prepare youth more effectively for roles that support national emergencies.

In addition, the range of sectors utilizing civil duty will broaden considerably. Beyond emergency services, civil duty will now encompass security operations, electronic communications, network and information systems, and cybersecurity. This reflects a modern understanding that contemporary conflicts and challenges impact all parts of society, not only the military.

Gulan Avci, defense policy spokesperson for the Liberals, highlighted that in today's warfare, society as a whole is affected, and thus, equipping Sweden with comprehensive knowledge and skills through an expanded civil duty is a crucial step in strengthening the country's total defense.

By combining mandatory enlistment and broader sector involvement, Sweden is reinforcing its preparedness for crises and potential wartime scenarios, aiming to maintain societal functioning under severe conditions. The initiative is positioned as a proactive response to geopolitical realities, designed to ensure resilience across multiple critical societal domains.

The reform marks a pivotal change in Sweden's approach to national defense and civil protection, symbolizing a move towards integrated civilian and military readiness fostered by lessons from international conflicts.