The 2026 army count is available. It contains figures on army strength as of 1 March 2026 and shows that currently enough service members are assigned to units so that the army can provide the services required of it.

With 147'017, the number of service members assigned to units is currently sufficient to ensure the target strength of at least 100'000 service members in the event of deployment. By 2030, however, army strength is expected to fall below 130'000, once the last two age groups subject to twelve years of military service obligation are discharged from the army in 2028 and 2029.

The number of service members available for ongoing training operations has developed positively compared to the previous year (+2.5 percentage points). This has a particularly favourable effect on the strength of refresher courses.

Number of women continues to rise slightly

Despite an overall decline in recruitment, a further increase in female service members can be observed. Given the continued strong interest of women in a cadre career, which entails a longer military service obligation, it can be assumed that the proportion of women will continue to rise slightly.

The introduction of a mandatory orientation day could further increase the proportion of women in the long term. The Federal Council adopted the corresponding dispatch at its meeting on 9 September 2026. It will now be submitted to Parliament. The popular vote on this is expected to take place in 2028.

Early departures are increasing

With the current military fitness rate of 70 percent and moderate demographic growth among persons liable for recruitment, the recruitment of new personnel would be assured. However, early departures, particularly to civilian service, are increasing. Currently, nearly 12'000 persons liable for military service are lost each year. In addition to measures already taken, greater flexibilisation of training and career models is intended to counter this development.

Securing strength is a key objective of the long-term development of the service obligation system. This is set out in the second part of the Federal Council's 2022 report on the staffing of the army and civil protection. In 2025, Parliament instructed the Federal Council to implement the security service obligation in order to secure the personnel strength of the army and civil protection. On 24 June 2026, the Federal Council decided on the key parameters of the security service obligation. The cantons are currently being consulted.