A mere 16% of individuals would still be prepared to battle for Germany under any circumstances.
A recent survey commissioned by the German News Network and conducted by the Forsa opinion research institute sheds light on the readiness of Germans to take up arms in the event of a military threat.
The survey results indicate a high proportion of Germans who believe Germany will have to come to the military aid of another NATO member under its obligation of assistance if another member is attacked. Approximately 59% of respondents hold this view[1][2][3]. However, when it comes to their own readiness to take up arms, the picture is quite different.
Only about 16% of the German population are definitely willing to take up arms to defend their country, while 59% say they would probably or definitely avoid taking up arms[1][2]. This disparity suggests a significant public reluctance to militarization and conflict participation in Germany.
The survey also reveals a higher proportion of women who are not prepared to take up arms to defend Germany. Among women, 72% would probably not or definitely not take up arms, compared to 48% of men[1][2].
The 27% of respondents who consider a military attack on Germany likely within the next five years reflect growing anxiety amid international conflicts and geopolitical tensions. Yet, a majority remain skeptical or unprepared to engage militarily[3].
These findings pose a challenge to Defense Minister Boris Pistorius's plans to recruit over 400,000 young adults by 2031 to strengthen the Bundeswehr[1][2]. The survey did not provide detailed demographic breakdowns, leaving questions about the specific groups within the population that hold these views.
The survey results underscore the complex societal and historical factors shaping Germany’s defense posture and public opinion. The country's history, including its past involvement in wars, continues to influence its approach to defense and military engagement.
[1] German News Network [2] Forsa opinion research institute [3] August 2025 survey report [4] Various news articles on the topic
- The survey results indicate that while a significant number of Germans believe they may have to aid other NATO members in case of a military threat, very few are willing to take up arms to defend their own country, with only 16% definitely willing, suggesting a general apprehension towards war-and-conflicts and militarization in German politics.
- The survey, conducted by the Forsa opinion research institute for the German News Network, found that a higher proportion of women are not prepared to take up arms to defend Germany compared to men, likely hinting at the impact of gender on general-news attitudes towards war-and-conflicts and politics in Germany.
