German Gen Z joins the Bundeswehr: The military becomes a plan B

Summary

Germany is rearming amid an economic recession with thousands of jobs slashed across industrial and service sectors. In these tough economic conditions, the Bundeswehr is now one of the country's most attractive employers for young people. Applications rose by 23 percent in January 2026 alone. Behind the figures lies a more complicated reality: for many young Germans, putting on a uniform is not a vocation – it's a fallback option. FRANCE 24’s Anne Mailliet reports, with Nick Holdsworth.