Youth enlistment rises in Croatia and Sweden as conscription and officer programs expand

In Croatia, 18‑year‑old Erik Jakopanec from Koprivnica completed basic training as part of the first cohort of conscripts after the mandatory service was reinstated in 2023. He is now in specialist training for communications and aims to join the special forces, reflecting a personal commitment influenced by his family's military background.

In Sweden, the officer program for the 2026 intake attracted a record 1,376 applicants, one of the highest numbers recorded this century. The surge follows heightened security concerns after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Sweden’s recent NATO membership, prompting an expansion of military units and a push for more technically trained officers.

Both stories illustrate a broader trend in Europe where young people are increasingly viewing military service as a professional career rather than a short‑term obligation.