The personnel numbers of the Bundeswehr for June confirm, according to a press release from the Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg) issued this Wednesday, the continued rising attractiveness of the armed forces. The growth in personnel continues, which is particularly evident again from the double-digit growth rates in applications and hires.
In detail, the current personnel development as of the close of June 2026 looks as follows: With around 40,500 applications for a military career, an increase of 24 percent compared with June 2025 is recorded. With around 10,900 new hires, there is an increase of 13 percent compared with the previous year’s month. Currently, around 12,100 voluntary service members and short-service personnel are serving in the Bundeswehr. This is around eight percent more than in the previous year.
Bundeswehr Has Grown by 3,600 Personnel in One Year
With approximately 185,200 personnel in the military’s total strength, the Bundeswehr has grown by more than 3,600 people compared with June 2025. As expected, however, the total strength declined by around 500 soldiers compared with the previous month, May 2026. The ongoing positive development in applications and hires nonetheless shows that the force remains attractive and continues to attract strong interest as an employer.
By the end of June, the BMVg had already drawn a positive initial balance regarding the dispatch of notices for the new conscription: the conscription, which had effectively been halted since 2011 with the suspension of mandatory military service, had been reintroduced in a timely fashion with the enactment of the Military Service Modernization Act and is functioning smoothly.
Medical Examinations for the New Military Service Are Already Underway
Despite an examination organization still being built up until July 2027, based on the questionnaire responses received to date, around 1,500 examinations or assessments could already have been conducted. Of the male participants, around 80 percent were deemed fit for military service. Additionally, around 600 more assessment and medical examination appointments are currently scheduled.
Following alignment of personal aspirations with the Bundeswehr’s needs, more than 530 prospective candidates could be firmly scheduled for military service within the current year based on the questionnaire responses. About two-thirds of the interested individuals would become available only in one or two years due to ongoing schooling and training commitments. Accordingly, accompanying, forward-looking recruitment offers are being prepared.
