Germany's New Security Demographics: Military Recruitment in the Era of Population Aging (Demographic Research Monographs)

Military recruitment will become more difficult in times of demographic aging. The question arises whether demographic change will constrain the capacity of aging states like Germany to conduct foreign policy and pursue their national security interests. Since contemporary military operations still display a strong human element, particular scrutiny is given to the empirical analysis of the determinants of military propensity and military service among youth. An additional human capital projection until 2030 illustrates how the decline in the youth population will interact with trends in educational attainment and adolescent health to further complicate military recruitment in the future. A concluding review of recruiting practices in other NATO countries provides insight in best-practice policy options to reduce the military’s sensitivity to demographic change. Following this approach, the book gives prominence to a topic that has thus far been under-represented in the greater discussion of demographic change today, namely the demographic impact on international affairs and strategic calculations. Front Matter....Pages i-xviii Introduction....Pages 1-13 The Military Environment....Pages 15-29 A Demographic View on Security....Pages 31-53 The Selectivity of Manpower Demand and Supply....Pages 55-73 Determinants of Military Manpower Supply....Pages 75-124 The Military Recruitment Target Population....Pages 125-179 Demographic Change as a Strategic Constraint: Issues and Options....Pages 181-192 Back Matter....Pages 193-217