Poll Shows 47% of Poles Unwilling to Fight in Military Conflict

A recent poll conducted by the IBRiS research center for the online portal Defense24 reveals that nearly half of Polish citizens would not be willing to take up arms in the event of a war. While 44% expressed readiness to defend the country through military means, 47% indicated they would not participate in armed defense, highlighting a significant divide in public sentiment.

The survey, carried out across all Polish voivodeships from June 12 to 14, involved 1,063 adult respondents. It underscores notable generational differences in attitudes toward military service. Among younger individuals aged 18 to 29, only 18% said they would be willing to fight, compared to 56% of those aged 40 to 59, who showed the highest willingness. Additionally, 15% of all respondents stated they would be prepared to sacrifice their lives for Poland’s protection, a decrease from 27% who expressed similar readiness in 2023.

These findings reflect a broader shift in public opinion regarding national defense, with younger Poles appearing less inclined to engage in military conflict. The study also provides insights into the demographics of willingness to defend the homeland, suggesting potential challenges for military recruitment and national preparedness. The results have sparked discussions among analysts about the factors influencing these attitudes, including changing societal values and perceptions of threat.