As of 31 July 2026, the Bundeswehr has grown to around 186,700 service members, according to a statement issued on Monday today. Thus, the personnel strength of the military personnel at mid-year lies within the target corridor for the personnel increase for the year 2026 (186,000 to 190,000), according to the Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg). At the same time, a new record high has been reached for the first time in about 13 years.
In terms of applications and enrollments, the Bundeswehr also records new highs and double-digit growth rates compared with the previous year month. By the end of the year, barring seasonal fluctuations, continued increases can be expected. At the same time, through the recruitment questionnaire, the assessments for interested individuals and the subsequent allocations could be increased further.
Current personnel development compared to July 2025
In detail, the current personnel development as of the end of July 2026 is thus as follows:
- Total military strength: With around 186,700 service members currently, there is an increase of more than two percent compared with July 2025 (absolutely around 3,700 more people).
- Applications for a military career: With around 47,300 applications there is a rise of 26 percent compared with the previous year’s month and 6,800 in absolute terms compared with June 2026.
- New enrollments: 15,400 new enrollments meant an increase of twelve percent compared with the previous year’s month and 4,500 in absolute terms compared with June 2026.
- Voluntary service members / “SaZ kurz”: Currently around 12,100 voluntary service members and short-term service personnel are serving under the New Service in the Bundeswehr. This is about six percent more than the previous year.
Expected rise in a recruitment-rich month
With the recruitment-rich month of July, total strength rose as expected compared with the previous month: by around 1,500 service members in absolute numbers. One reason for this is, for example, that July 1 is one of the main recruitment dates for the officer careers across all branches and in the support area.
As of 31 July 2026, a total of around 378,000 letters inviting to fill out the questionnaire for military recruitment were sent, about 194,000 to male persons and about 184,000 to persons of other genders. Within the deadline including the grace period, according to the press release, about 96 percent of men and about four percent of people of other genders responded. The expression of interest among respondents remains at around 5 on a scale from 1 to 10 for both groups.
Increase in assessments and allocations from questionnaire returns
From all interested parties, by the end of July around 2,630 people had undergone an assessment. This was an increase of around 35 percent compared with the previous month. After a successful assessment, a total of 865 applicants could be allocated for use in the Bundeswehr across all career paths, of which 824 allocations were for the year 2026, but also already 41 allocations for the year 2027. This was an increase of around percent compared with the previous month.
These figures relate exclusively to responses to the questionnaire, i.e., when respondents express their interest in the Bundeswehr. This portion of personnel growth is a supplement to the extensive personnel recruitment measures that contribute to the aforementioned applications and enrollments. At the same time, the nationwide medical examination organization will continue to be expanded in a planned manner.
This development across all metrics of personnel recruitment (applications, hires, personnel strength) shows that the Bundeswehr is an attractive employer and that the measures initiated are taking effect, according to the BMVg. Because of the positive developments in the entire personnel recruitment process, it is expected that the personnel growth of the Bundeswehr will continue to be positive through the end of the year – even under the influence of seasonal fluctuations.
