Just 16% are assuredly ready to battle for Germany - A mere 16% of individuals are prepared to assert allegiance to Germany in any circumstance.
In a recent survey conducted by the Forsa polling institute for the German Editorial Network, it was revealed that a significant majority of Germans are reluctant to defend their country in a military crisis.
The survey results indicate that 59% of Germans would probably or definitely avoid taking up arms to defend Germany in case of an armed invasion, while only 16% said they would definitely be willing to fight. Additionally, 22% indicated they probably would defend the country, but the majority expresses unwillingness to engage militarily.
Among women in Germany, the proportion of those unwilling to fight is particularly high at 72%.
The large proportion of citizens unwilling to fight and the government’s push to strengthen and expand the military suggest an awareness of heightened security concerns even if direct fear of imminent attack is not explicitly stated.
Interestingly, there is growing public support (61%) for reinstating compulsory military service if voluntary enlistment falls short. However, opposition to such conscription is particularly strong among younger Germans aged 18 to 29.
The German government aims to recruit 40,000 young adults annually to increase the Bundeswehr’s size as part of a broader effort to strengthen defense capabilities after decades of underinvestment.
The survey did not provide direct data on perceptions of the likelihood of a military attack on Germany in the next five years. Nonetheless, the findings highlight the current stance of German citizens on defending their country in a military crisis, which is largely one of reluctance.
The survey results, in conjunction with the German government's push to strengthen and expand the military, indicate a community policy focus on national security, despite general-news reports of a significant majority of Germans (59%) expressing reluctance to engage militarily in defense of their country. Interestingly, public support for reinstating conscription is growing, but opposition to such a policy is strongest among younger Germans.
