Part 4/10:
The shrinking size of European armies has resulted in an aging military workforce. In Germany, for instance, the average soldier's age rose from 32.4 years in 2019 to 34 years in 2024, while around 28% of lower-ranking positions remain unfilled. The issue isn't confined to Germany alone—many nations that eliminated draft systems now face recruitment struggles. In 2022, for instance, Czechia managed to recruit only 176 soldiers, while Poland saw a record 9,000 professional soldiers leaving.