A matter of trust: Why the German Armed Forces need more people with a migrant background
Policy Brief | October 2025
The changing geopolitical landscape has heightened the security policy significance of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr). To fulfill its mission, the Bundeswehr must significantly increase its troop strength. But how much do individuals with and without a migrant background trust the Bundeswehr? To address this question, the SVR's scientific staff has analyzed data from the 2024 Integration Barometer, which for the first time assessed trust in the Bundeswehr, in its latest policy brief.
The findings reveal that around eight out of ten respondents with a migration background express trust in the Bundeswehr, stating they trust it “completely” or “somewhat” (77 percent). This sentiment is especially pronounced among the 15 to 25 age group. In contrast, only 68 percent of individuals without a migration background report similar levels of trust.
