European nations are heavily investing in advanced military technology, yet face a significant personnel shortage, particularly among active soldiers. While nearly two million troops could be mobilized in the event of conflict, most nations have downsized their armed forces in recent years. Conscription remains in place in a few countries, with varying lengths of service and obligations. Public sentiment is mixed, with younger generations largely opposing mandatory military service, raising concerns about the willingness to defend their nations in times of crisis.
Europe’s Military Preparedness: The Growing Need for Personnel
To navigate an increasingly unpredictable global landscape, European nations are investing billions into advanced military equipment, including tanks, aircraft, and missile defense systems. However, a pressing issue looms: who will operate this sophisticated arsenal? Experts, including Cameron Abadi, highlight a critical shortage of personnel, particularly active soldiers.
The State of Soldier Availability and Conscription in Europe
If conflict were to erupt today, over thirty European nations could mobilize nearly two million active-duty soldiers. This number is just slightly lower than the military capacity of the United States. It’s important to note that this figure only accounts for professional soldiers ready for immediate deployment; additional mobilization of reservists would be necessary as well.
Among the ten countries with the highest numbers of active soldiers, Turkey and Greece are the only ones still implementing conscription. These nations often resort to military solutions to address disputes over islands and resources in the eastern Mediterranean.
Conscription remains prevalent mainly in nations bordering Russia, such as those in Scandinavia and the Baltic states, as well as the neutral countries of Switzerland and Austria. This year, Croatia and Serbia are also reinstating conscription. Moreover, Denmark has taken a progressive step by extending military service obligations to women, following Norway’s lead.
The specifics of conscription—such as the length of service, age of enlistment, and availability of alternatives like civilian service—vary widely across countries.
For instance, in Turkey, males aged 20 to 41 must complete military service ranging from 6 to 12 months. However, individuals can opt out for a fee or defer service if enrolled in certain professions, such as research or sports.
Finland follows a different model; men, starting at age 18, undergo military, border guard, or civilian service lasting between 5.5 to 12 months. After completing their service, they enter the reserve, potentially being called back until they reach 50, and up to 60 if they hold non-commissioned or officer ranks.
Switzerland utilizes a militia system, mandating all citizens to fulfill either military or civilian service. Most individuals undergo a short basic training followed by refresher courses over several years. Military service lasts at least 245 days, while civilian service is extended to 368 days, typically completed between ages 18 and 30, after which individuals enter the reserve based on their rank.
Despite the diversity in conscription models, European nations with such systems share a commonality: they maintain thousands of ready reserve soldiers for emergencies.
Changes in Military Strength and Public Sentiment
Over the past decade, many countries have notably downsized their armed forces, a trend observed not just in nations with conscription. Professional volunteer armies in the UK, France, and Italy have seen significant reductions in personnel between 2015 and 2025, while Germany and Spain have only experienced minimal increases. The situation for reserves is similarly concerning, with even large NATO countries maintaining only a few tens of thousands of reserve soldiers.
The decline in military numbers began with the abolition of conscription, starting first in the UK in 1960, followed by France in 1997, Spain in 2001, and Italy in 2005. Germany was the last to suspend conscription in 2011.
This restructuring was influenced by shifts in security and socio-political landscapes. The end of the Cold War diminished the focus on traditional national defense and conventional warfare, leading to an emphasis on foreign deployments and crisis response, where professional soldiers were deemed more effective than conscripts.
Governments believed that professional armies could better handle complex weaponry and were more cost-effective than large conscript forces, which incur significant expenses related to recruitment, housing, and training. Additionally, societal willingness to serve declined, as military service became seen as outdated, propelled by both pacifist ideologies and a lack of financial incentives.
The ongoing conflict stemming from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has shifted the security dynamics since 2022, prompting Poland to expand its volunteer military force by about 50,000 troops since the war began, although it does not plan to reinstate conscription. Instead, Poland is initiating voluntary military training for all adult men to enhance its rapid mobilization capabilities in crises.
Within Poland, the reliance on a volunteer military model has faced criticism, with conservative politicians advocating for a return to conscription. While recent surveys indicate that 55% of the population supports the reintroduction of military service, generational differences are evident: younger potential recruits (ages 18-29) predominantly oppose it, whereas older individuals show stronger support.
Opinions on voluntary military training also reflect generational divides, with broader support across the population but considerable opposition from those under 30. The evolving discourse on service obligations is being closely observed in Western European capitals, where discussions are resurfacing around conscription in countries like France and Germany, where there is currently majority support for its return.
Conversely, nations like Italy, the UK, and Spain reflect a majority opposition to reintroducing conscription, as evidenced by recent polling from YouGov in March. Interestingly, even in France and Germany, younger demographics exhibit little interest in mandatory military service, with support primarily coming from individuals aged 35 to 40.
In the case of Italy and Spain, even among older populations, support for conscription is not overwhelming, especially among potential recruits, with only about one-third in favor of a service obligation.
Switzerland stands out, as conscription remains active. Recent studies indicate that only 31% of respondents wish to eliminate this system; however, among individuals aged 18 to 34, the desire to abolish conscription rises to 39%, indicating a significant decline from 2023 when nearly half of young people favored ending it.
As debates over military service continue, an even more pressing question arises: how willing are citizens to defend their nation during a crisis? A year ago, a UK survey revealed that while many Britons oppose conscription, approximately one-third of those under 40 expressed reluctance to engage in military service.