Bundeswehr Reports Record Annual Recruitment of Over 20,000 Soldiers

The Bundeswehr has stabilized its personnel numbers amid growing public interest in military service, according to the German Ministry of Defense.

As of July 21, 2025, the Bundeswehr had approximately 183,100 active-duty troops — over 2,000 more than on the same date in 2024.

The upward trend continued last year: in 2024, the Bundeswehr recorded a record intake of about 20,300 new recruits, up 8% from 2023.

Of those, some 1,500 joined on a professional or conscription basis.

The number of volunteers (Freiwilliger Wehrdienst Leistende) rose by 15% to 11,350.

According to the Ministry, interest in Bundeswehr careers increased by 31% year-on-year, in line with broader recruitment trends.
Officials attributed the growth to successful outreach campaigns combining digital marketing, social media, mobile advisory points, and youth education programs under the “Agenda Attraktivität.”

The Ministry stated that the positive trend will help maintain a high-quality force and support the Bundeswehr’s long-term strengthening.

“With around 1,000 career options, the Bundeswehr is an attractive employer. But the security environment also plays a role — people consciously want to take responsibility for Germany’s security by joining the Bundeswehr,” the Ministry’s press office noted.

Militarnyi previously reported that the Defense Ministry had prepared three potential models for reintroducing conscription.

The first approach would involve sending voluntary questionnaires along with informational materials to adults. The second would make the questionnaires and potential medical checks mandatory for men, but voluntary for women.