The German Armed Forces recorded a slight decline in their numbers for the past 2024 despite the increased number of conscripts, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
At the end of last year, the Bundeswehr had 181,150 military personnel compared to a personnel of 181,500 as of December 2023, the Ministry of Defense announced to the agency.
At the end of 2022 The German army had 183,050 men, which is also below the target of 203,000. However, this figure is already considered inadequate in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began three years ago this month.
At the same time, the German Ministry of Defense reports a "change in trends" against the backdrop of an increased number of conscripts entering the Bundeswehr in 2024. Their number for the past year is 20,300, eight percent more than in 2023.
"2024 was the year with the largest recruitment in the last five years," the ministry announced.