Defense: More and more young people want to go to the Bundeswehr

Even without compulsory military service, interest in the Bundeswehr as an employer is increasing in Germany. As can be seen from data from the Ministry of Defense, 28 percent more military personnel has already been hired this year than in the same period of the previous year. There were around 13,750 settings by July 21. There are positive figures for both active time soldiers and soldiers as well as in voluntary military service. The “Süddeutsche Zeitung” first reported on the numbers.

According to the ministry, the Bundeswehr currently has around 183,100 men and women in uniform – about 2,000 more than at the same time 2024. There was a plus of around 15 percent during military service alone – a total of 11,350 young people are currently serving the weapon.

The ministry attributes the rising figures to the Bundeswehr advertising campaigns, but on the other hand, but also to the tense international security policy situation. This is also the reason why the federal government considers a growth of the troop to be urgently needed.

At the end of August, the cabinet should therefore vote on a draft law by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius for a new military service, which should come into force at the beginning of 2026 if possible. He relies on voluntariness and an attractive service with a higher soldier to win more young people for the Bundeswehr. The aim is to win up to 15,000 new military service providers a year. From 2027, at least one pattern should become mandatory.