Nearly two-thirds of Germans express concern about a war that their country might not win, based on a survey released by the insurer R+V Version. The finding highlights lingering anxieties about national security in a period of global tension and shifting defense postures.
In a survey of 1,099 adults conducted from March 13 to 15, 63 percent said they fear Germany would be unable to defend itself if a conflict arose. This marks the highest share of fear since 1999, a year when 60 percent of Germans reported concerns following NATO’s bombing of Yugoslavia.
More than half of respondents, 55 percent, also worry about Germany entering a war, a rise of 13 percentage points from the previous year. The data suggests a broad unease about potential escalation and the country’s role in international hostilities.
During early March, Germany’s Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, acknowledged that the current Bundeswehr might not be capable of protecting the country in the event of a military attack. The admission underscored ongoing questions about defense readiness and modernization needs within the armed forces.
Earlier in March, a YouGov survey conducted among German residents found that 20 percent would consider leaving the country if a war were to break out. The figure reflects concerns about safety, economic stability, and the long-term impact of conflict on daily life and civil liberty.