In light of the escalating Russian threat, young people are encouraged to express their willingness—or lack thereof—to enlist in the military in the event of conflict.
Geopolitical Situation: Young People Are Very Concerned
A looming armed conflict? This is what EU leaders seem to fear as they invest heavily in Defense, anticipating a deterioration in relations between Russia and Europe. France is no exception. This urgency has led the populace to question the future, with some even fearing the return of mandatory military service that would require young people to mobilize.
Surprisingly, many young people express a willingness to enlist in case of conflict. This data comes from the #MoiJeune survey conducted by 20 Minutes in collaboration with OpinionWay. It reveals that three out of four young respondents supported an increase in the Defense budget even before the government made it official.
Moreover, one in three young people has no objections to the return of mandatory military service. This finding reflects their perspective on the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, which is already alarming and appears poised to escalate further into Europe, particularly with Donald Trump’s return to power. “The instability brought by the new American administration has revived these fears,” notes 20 Minutes.
“There’s a Difference Between ‘I Want to Go’ and the Society We Want”
The American diplomatic approach is now perceived as one of the biggest threats to global stability (82%), far ahead of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (62%). With Donald Trump in the mix, fears of a nuclear war have emerged, possibly occurring in the short to medium term.
On paper, respondents indicate they are willing to join the military if necessary. About half consider this option, including 37% of women. “These are high numbers,” says Clément Royaux from OpinionWay, who adds a caveat: “There’s a difference between ‘I want to go’ and the society model we desire.”
It remains to be seen if these young individuals will maintain their enthusiasm when the time comes to take action. Regardless, the current conflict has undeniably created a significant rift with Russia. In fact, 56% of young respondents desire France to distance itself from, or even sever ties with, Moscow, despite the resumption of diplomatic relations.
The survey was conducted online with 314 participants representative of French society aged 18 to 30, using a quota sampling method, between March 3 and March 5, 2025.
