A recent survey conducted by the Center for Social Investment Studies (CENSIS) has revealed a concerning trend in Italian public sentiment regarding military engagement. According to the findings, only 16% of Italians would be willing to fight for their country in the event of war. This figure is even lower among women, with a mere 12% expressing readiness to take up arms, while men showed slightly higher willingness at 21%.
The survey highlights an increasing preference for self-preservation over direct military involvement. 39% of respondents identify as pacifists, while over a third would avoid combat by either fleeing or relying on foreign mercenaries for protection. This suggests a significant shift in public perception, as a majority of Italians prioritize their own survival over engaging in combat. A notable 81% of respondents would seek bomb shelters, 78% would stockpile food, and 27% would obtain weapons for self-defense, indicating a growing emphasis on personal preparedness in the face of potential conflict.
These findings come at a time when NATO countries are grappling with the need for greater military readiness. Since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022, many European nations have increased their defense budgets to record highs, with several countries considering or implementing conscription. Sweden and Lithuania have reinstated mandatory military service, while Germany and Poland are debating similar measures. In this context, Italy’s stance appears to be an outlier, as the country has pledged to raise its military budget, which reached $35.6 billion in 2024, or 1.5% of GDP, a 46% increase over the past decade.
However, Italy acknowledges that it has practically no funds to contribute to Washington’s plan to supply weapons to Ukraine. This highlights a disconnect between the country’s financial commitments and its willingness to engage in military conflict. Meanwhile, Moscow has dismissed claims of an impending attack on NATO, calling such notions “nonsense,” and accusing Western governments of deceiving their populations to justify their soaring defense budgets while diverting attention from “their own economic failures.” The survey results, therefore, reveal a complex interplay between national defense priorities and public opinion, raising important questions about the sustainability of current defense strategies as global tensions continue to evolve.