In 2024, only 615 new reservists were recruited by Belgian Ministry of Defence, according to figures obtained by Belga.
This is double the number from the previous year but falls well short of the target set by outgoing Ministry of Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder (PS), which was 1,050.
In early February 2024, Dedonder made a large-scale appeal for more reservists, setting the goal at 1,050 new recruits.
She highlighted the increasing Russian threat on the eastern flank of the European Union, calling for a shift in strategic thinking.
"I appeal to the entire population: become a reservist! Not because I fear a war will break out tomorrow, but because Defence should be everyone’s concern," she said in an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws.
Despite the high interest, with 2,141 Belgians applying, only 615 were recruited. The Ministry of Defence stated that the selection process was stringent, and those not meeting the criteria were not chosen.
The Defence department expressed satisfaction with the result, noting, “Although we didn’t reach the projected goal, this marks a 60 percent increase compared to 2023.”
In 2023, 1,252 Belgians applied for the reserve, of which 383 were recruited.
Additionally, 9,973 Belgians applied for military positions, with 2,835 being accepted. Moreover, 540 civilians were hired.
In September last year, the Defence department announced its plan to seek 2,500 active military personnel, 960 civilian staff, and 1,050 reservists again in 2025.
