70% of Germans doubt Bundeswehr can defend the country, YouGov poll shows

A YouGov International Flagship Survey conducted from 17 June to 1 July interviewed 2,079 German adults and roughly 2,000 adults in six other NATO countries. Seventy percent of German respondents said they lack confidence that the Bundeswehr could protect Germany against a potential attack, while only 21 % expressed trust in the army. Forty percent believe defence spending is inadequate, yet 77 % oppose higher taxes to fund additional defence, 62 % reject cuts to public services and 59 % oppose increased government borrowing for the purpose.

The poll covered Poland, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France and the United States. Respondents in Poland (57 %), the United Kingdom and Australia (53 % each) and Canada (48 %) similarly doubted their militaries’ protective ability, whereas 52 % in France and 77 % in the United States expressed confidence in their forces. Despite low confidence, majorities across all seven nations view NATO as important for security, with strong public support for the alliance.

Germany’s government has responded to security concerns by planning to raise defence spending to €153 billion by 2029, increase active‑duty personnel from about 183,000 to 260,000 and expand reserves to 200,000, reflecting the broader strategic context of the Russia‑Ukraine war.