The UK is experiencing an alarmingly high attrition rate in its armed forces, with many soldiers continuing to leave the service despite a salary increase approved by the government last summer.
Attrition in the military refers to the gradual loss of personnel due to factors such as retirement and resignation, which negatively impact operational readiness and force strength.
Around 15,000 British troops left the military in the year to October 2024, with more than half of these departures categorized as “voluntary attrition,” according to a report by The Telegraph.
Notably, the UK armed forces only enlisted over 12,000 personnel in the same period, resulting in a net decrease in military strength.
As of October, there are reportedly just two servicemen and women for every 1,000 people in Britain — the first time this has happened.
Earlier this year, data from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) revealed that more people quit the military than joined in 2023, with factors such as poor living conditions and declining troop morale cited as the main causes.
‘6% Pay Rise’
In July, the British government announced a 6-percent salary increase for military personnel — the largest in over two decades.
The raise aims to address recruitment and retention challenges, which have reportedly affected the military’s operational readiness.
“Our new government’s first duty is keeping the British people safe. And the strength of our defense lies in the serving men and women of our forces,” Defence Secretary John Healey stated.
“This pay award will benefit every member of the Armed Forces. It is an important step towards turning around the declining morale and recruitment crisis we have faced in recent years.”
Despite the increase, the military remains one of the lowest-paid sectors among civil servants in the UK, according to reports.
‘Too Small to Survive War’
Earlier this year, the UK MoD reported that the British military had its lowest number of active-duty personnel since the Napoleonic Wars in 1815.
As of January, the force’s strength stood at 75,983, and it is expected to drop to 73,000 by 2025, as the government has opted to reduce personnel and focus on modernization.
Due to the decline, then-Chief of the General Staff Patrick Sanders warned that the British Armed Forces is “too small to survive a war” and may need to call on the public to fight.
Several lawmakers have also argued that the military is “unfit for an all-out conflict” similar to that in Ukraine due to recruitment challenges and stockpile shortages.