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Nearly half of Poles would not report for national defense if war loomed: poll

22.09.2025 09:45
A new IBRiS survey for Radio ZET finds 49.1% of Poles would not report to defend the country if war threatened, while 44.8% say they would.
Willingness peaks among people aged 3049, averaging 60. Even so, 39 of those 3039 and 35 of those 4049 said they would not report; the remainder were undecided.
Willingness peaks among people aged 30–49, averaging 60%. Even so, 39% of those 30–39 and 35% of those 40–49 said they would not report; the remainder were undecided.Photo: PAP/Łukasz Gągulski

Nearly half of respondents said they would not take part in the country’s defense (17.9% “definitely not,” 31.2% “rather not”). In contrast, 44.8% declared readiness to serve (20.7% “definitely yes,” 24.1% “rather yes”), and 6.1% were undecided.

Young adults were the least willing: among those aged 18–29, 69% would not report (64% “rather not,” 5% “definitely not”), 13% said “rather yes,” none said “definitely yes,” and 18% were unsure.

Willingness peaks among people aged 30–49, averaging 60%. Even so, 39% of those 30–39 and 35% of those 40–49 said they would not report; the remainder were undecided.

By gender, 33% of women would report and 55% would not; among men, 54% would report and 44% would not.

Political preferences also shaped responses.

Among supporters of conservative opposition Law and Justice (PiS), 56% would report and 43% would not. For liberal ruling coalition Civic Coalition (KO) voters, 49% would and 45% would not. Among far-right Confederation supporters, 44% would report and 56% would not.

Just 26% of voters for centrist Polska 2050 and agrarian Polskie Stronnictwo Ludowe would report, versus 72% who would not. Among social democrats New Left supporters, 36% would report and 51% would not.

(jh)

Source: PAP