In 2025, 2,314 Danes became volunteer soldiers, an increase of 43 percent from the previous year.
This is stated by the Danish Home Guard in a press release, which says it is the largest increase since 1983.
“The goal is to have 20,000 volunteer soldiers in two years,” says Major General Gunner Arpe Nielsen, chief of the Home Guard, according to the press release.
According to Hans Andersen, a member of the Home Guard, the increase reflects "a large and popular commitment and a desire to make a difference in a troubled time."
It shows that the Danes have a great will to defend, he told the Ritzau news agency.
