Truth or tale: Could conscription solve military personnel shortages?

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Listening: Truth or tale: Could conscription solve military personnel shortages?

In recent years, a growing number of European countries have been revising their military conscription rules and ramping up defence spending. But can conscription really fix long-term personnel shortages?

This content was published on November 20, 2025 - 10:00

1 minute

I'm a reporter specialised in Swiss foreign affairs, Japanese-Swiss relations and assisted suicide. I'm also an editor in the Japanese department. I worked for a Japanese newspaper for 10 years, covering a wide range of topics including crime, politics, and sports. Since 2017, I have been writing for SWI swissinfo.ch, focusing on social issues, particularly assisted suicide.

I oversee the distribution and social media channels for the English department and write news articles in English. I studied modern languages, English, and Russian literature, then completed an MA in international journalism in Cardiff. After that, I worked for BBC Education in Manchester for a few years before moving to Switzerland.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine – and with Russian drones and aircraft repeatedly violating NATO airspace – governments across Europe have responded by pouring more money into weapons and defence systems.

At the same time, many countries are struggling to recruit enough professional soldiers. That has pushed some nations to revisit conscription. In this video, we look at why conscription can quickly boost troop numbers in the short term, but also shift the burden onto young people.

Experts warn that, over the long run it may be less effective than investing in professional soldiers with better pay, training and technology.

Here’s a look at how different European countries are responding and what’s at stake in Switzerland’s upcoming vote on mandatory civic duty.

Military personnel shortages are becoming a global issue.

Foreign Affairs

Explainer: Why Europe is bringing back conscription

This content was published on Nov 14, 2025 Europe’s shortage of professional soldiers, amid mounting concerns over Russian military ambitions, is forcing countries to revisit the idea of conscription.

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Truth or tale: Could conscription solve military personnel shortages?

In recent years, a growing number of European countries have been revising their military conscription rules and ramping up defence spending. But can conscription really fix long-term personnel shortages?

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Explainer: Why Europe is bringing back conscription

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