A bill set to be approved by the German government aims to increase recruitment for the Bundeswehr, Germany's unified armed forces, amid concerns about European security. Initially, the law was expected to apply a voluntary military service regime, but there was a provision allowing the restoration of mandatory military service if the target was not met.
Although the German army is among the highest paid in Europe, the conscription rate last year reached less than half of the target of 2031. The situation of high military retirement, lack of equipment and internal scandals has put more pressure on Prime Minister Friedrich Merz's government. The draft law also proposes that from 2027, 18-year-old men must fill out a compulsory survey and health check-up form to increase their ability to join the army.
New recruit's salary in Germany is expected to increase by more than 30%, to over 2,300 euros per month, double the income from vocational training programs. However, even with financial incentives and widespread promotional campaigns, the Bundeswehr is still not attractive enough. This year, Germany aims to recruit 15,000 new recruits, while needing up to 40,000, meaning personnel costs could increase by 24 million euros per month.
According to a published survey, only 16% of Germans are ready to fight if their country is attacked. A study by Gallup, a global employment research organization, shows that Germany is among the group with the least willingness to play globally.
According to the Ifo Institute, a comprehensive military service restoration could cost 70 billion euros, largely due to the loss of revenue from the young workforce. Meanwhile, promotional campaigns from online films, physical exhibition booths to printing on bread bags are not enough to turn the skeptical attitude.
