The number of draft dodgers in Germany continues to increase.

Reference News Network reported on April 30 According to the German magazine Der Spiegel's website on April 27, the reform of the conscription system continues to make many young German men feel uneasy. The prospect of being conscripted into military service has suddenly become very real. Reports indicate that the number of people in Germany applying to refuse military service is steadily increasing.

The Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung cited data provided by German authorities, reporting that in the first quarter of this year, 2,656 people have submitted the corresponding applications.

It is reported that in 2024, a total of 2,998 people in Germany applied for exemption from military service, and in 2025, 3,867 people submitted the corresponding applications. If this trend continues, the number of those refusing military service in 2026 could reach the highest level since the suspension of mandatory military service in 2011.

The tense security situation and the new Military Service Law that took effect on January 1 this year may be background factors contributing to this trend. The core content of the law stipulates that young men born in 2008 and later are obligated to participate in conscription medical examinations. This regulation aims to recruit volunteers for military expansion. However, if the Bundeswehr fails to meet its expansion targets, the German Bundestag may decide to implement a "demand-based conscription system."

Last week, German Defense Minister Pistorius announced a military strategy. In this strategy, he insisted on a target of 260,000 active-duty soldiers as the goal for the expansion of the Bundeswehr. Pistorius stated last Wednesday in Berlin that, including reserve personnel, the size of the German military should reach at least 460,000. He said the goal is to make the German military the strongest conventional force in Europe. (Translated by Wang Qiang)