In the past year the Bundeswehr had more under‑age soldiers at the start of their service than ever before. A total of 3,131 recruits were 17 years old – an increase of over 1,000 minors compared with the previous year. The figures come from the federal government’s response to a written inquiry from the Left party, as reported by “Der Spiegel”. In 2025, minors represented 12.5 % of all newly enlisted soldiers.
Since data collection began in 2011 this level has never been reached. New record highs were already set in 2023 and 2024 for the enlistment of under‑age recruits.
At the same time, 638 minor recruits left the Bundeswehr prematurely in 2025, including 100 women. One of those who departed had been a victim at the paratrooper barracks in Zweibrücken – a site that attracted headlines last year because of incidents of sexual violence, drug abuse and far‑right extremism.
“Clearly this shows that the Bundeswehr is not a suitable employer for young people” said Left parliamentary group leader Heidi Reichinnek. “The problem is not a lack of recruits, but a failure to protect young soldiers within its ranks” she added, referring to the Zweibrücken barracks. Reichinnek warned that the trend of continuously rising record highs is disastrous.
