Germany's Bundeswehr sent letters to 298,200 18 year-olds inviting them to volunteer. 530 of them eventually did sign up. That's 0.18% enlistment rate.

Around five months after the start of the medical screening of all 18-year-olds, the Ministry of Defence draws an initial assessment: 298,200 letters were sent to all young men and women who are coming of age this year. In it, their interest in the new voluntary military service, which lasts at least six months, is queried. Men must complete the associated questionnaire, women are not obligated to complete that questionnaire.

According to the ministry, about 25 percent of young men had shown first interest in the Bundeswehr via questionnaire. This group was contacted by telephone, after which 12.5 percent were still interested.