German children choose policeman or soldier as their main position

The annual survey found that 11 percent of school-age boys were most interested in joining the military. Photo: Florian Gärtner/Imago/Avalon

A survey shows that more and more young Germans want to serve in the police and army, rather than in the country's big automakers, as was the case in the past.

The country has launched a major plan to expand its army, aiming to become Europe's largest military sponsor.

This came after Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Chancellor Olaf Scholz's claim that the plan was a watershed moment in modern German history.

According to an annual survey of nearly 35,000 school-age children, working in the police or army, followed by a job with local sports company Adidas and then with BMW.

The results mark a turnaround in dynamics. There is a long-standing tendency among young people to see their future with one of the country's famous automobile companies.

Porsche, Tesla, Audi and Mercedes-Benz came in third behind BMW.

A survey by market research company Trendence Institute found that girls are most likely to join the police (just over 15 percent). , and boys prefer the army or the Bundeswehr (11 percent).

A survey of nearly 35,000 school-aged children found that joining the police or army came out on top. Photo: Ebrahim Norouzi/AP < p>This comes as young people are moving towards far-right political views: Alternative for Germany is now the most popular party among young people aged 14 to 29.

The party called for the “restoration of combat readiness,” compulsory military service and increased European influence in NATO.

Polls show that 22 percent of young Germans would vote for the party in the next election, a radical achievement. This is a change from the last German federal election, when the Greens were most popular among first-time voters and only 9 percent said they wanted to vote for the far right.

In the eastern states , such as Saxony and Thuringia, where migration has become a big political issue, the party is expected to take first place in state elections later this year.

«Young people in Germany are more pessimistic,» said Klaus Hürrelmann, senior professor of public health and education at the Hertie School of Management in Berlin.

Speaking after the publication of a survey of schoolchildren aged 14 to 29 carried out in 2024, he said: “Almost two years after ends Due to the Covid pandemic, young people remain concerned about their health and economic situation now and in the future. As a result, right-wing parties such as the AfD find more support among the young people surveyed.”