After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a record number of Swedes wanted to join the Home Guard. But a third have withdrawn their applications, writes SVT. The reason is that the applicants have realized what the mission entails – and now there is a shortage of soldiers.
Over the past five years, the number of members in the Home Guard has increased by 1,041 people, and at this rate, the Swedish Armed Forces' goal of several thousand new Home Guard soldiers by 2030 will not be achieved.
In 2022, service agreements were signed with 5,200 people, which is indeed a record. But at the same time, agreements were terminated with 3,800 people.
Many find themselves in life situations where they have small children, are studying, or moving to another location. But we have become more stringent about people fulfilling their contracted time, says Jonas Algotsson, battalion commander for the Home Guard in Kalmar, to SVT.
