Europe\’s Defence Industry Outpaces General Job Growth Amid Heightened Security Priority

EU Defence Sector Growth and Employment Trends

Significant Rise in Budget Allocation

Between 2021 and 2024, European Union defence budgets saw an impressive over 30% uptick. This boost reflects a prioritisation of security and technological advancement across member states.

Wave of Labour Demand

• Expansion of manufacturing and research activities in defence firms.
• Greater need for specialised skills in cybersecurity, robotics, and aerospace engineering.
• Increased hiring across both public defence agencies and private contractors.

Job Market Outpaces the Broader Economy

From 2022 onwards, the number of Defence job postings has grown faster than the average pace seen in other sectors. Some of the most notable shifts include:

• Higher vacancy rates in the Netherlands, Germany, and France.
• Rapid growth in roles related to AI, data analytics, and system integration.
• Recruitment peaks aligned with new procurement programmes and strategic partnerships.

Implications for Workers and Economies

The emerging trend suggests a promising horizon for professionals seeking careers in defence. It signals:

• Robust economic resilience in continental security industries.
• Potential for cross‑border skill mobility among EU member states.
• Enhanced opportunities for STEM graduates and seasoned engineers alike.

Defence Sector Job Interest Grows Amid Geopolitical Shifts

Analysis of private‑sector employers shows a noticeable uptick in demand for defence‑related roles, while positions within the armed forces are excluded from this data set.

Impact of Conflict on Hiring Trends

According to Virginia Sondergeld, an economist with Indeed Hiring Lab, the start of the war has significantly amplified job‑seeker activity in the defence arena. Germany, in particular, recorded a sharp surge in searches in early 2022 that continues to remain above pre‑war levels.

“This demonstrates how geopolitical events can reshape public perception of the sector and attract fresh talent.”

Long‑Term Investment Needed for Workforce Growth

Sondergeld emphasizes that sustaining and expanding a skilled defence workforce requires ongoing public investment. “If we maintain this funding trajectory, the sector could see a structural rise in its importance within the broader labour market,” she notes.

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France dominates defence job postings in Europe

European Defence Recruiting Landscape: A Shift in Geographic Focus

In the latest data from May 2025, France remains the dominant country for defence‑sector job listings in Europe, holding roughly 43 % of all posts from major defence manufacturers. This figure is a noticeable decline from the 57 % that France captured in early 2020.

Distribution of Job Postings Across Europe

• Germany and the United Kingdom each contribute about 17 % of the postings.
• Other European nations’ share has grown more than threefold, climbing from 7 % to 23 % during the same period.

According to Indeed economists Alexandre Judes and Virginia Sondergeld, this trend reflects a strategic move toward geographic diversification of defence investment and workforce acquisition.

National Strengths in Defence Industries

Each of these three countries boasts a robust and specialised defence sector:

• France pursues comprehensive autonomy with key players such as Dassault Aviation, Thales, and Safran.
• Germany hosts essential firms like Rheinmetall and Hensoldt, which are critical for NATO’s future land platforms.
• The UK presents a strong naval and aerospace presence via BAE Systems.

As these companies scale up production and push innovation, demand for specialists in software, engineering, and manufacturing grows correspondingly.

Cross‑Border Defence Collaborations

Several large European defence corporations operate across multiple national borders:

• Airbus Defence & Space, MBDA, and KNDS steer joint European initiatives in aerospace, missile systems, and armoured vehicles.

Effect of Conflicts on Job Search Interest

Since the outbreak of the Ukraine war in 2022, interest in defence employment has shown modest variations:

• The UK experienced a small uptick in job seeker interest, but the overall trend has largely stabilised.
• France and Germany have seen a more pronounced increase in demand.

“In the UK, the defence sector already represented a sizable portion of the economy, and policy initiatives were incremental, attracting less public attention and resulting in smaller shifts in job seeker perception,” explained Virginia Sondergeld.

Looking at Search Trends

• In April 2025, France had a defence‑related search share of 0.18 %, doubling from 0.08 % observed in 2021.
• Germany’s search share spiked dramatically in early 2022, jumping from 0.026 % in January to 0.084 % by March, and has remained consistently high since.

Despite these developments, Indeed economists highlight that defence remains a niche sector; even in countries where interest is rising, defence searches still represent a relatively small segment of overall job inquiries.

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Software development and engineering lead in defence hiring

Defense Sector Job Market: Software Development Takes the Lead in the UK

In the United Kingdom, the field of software development accounts for the highest proportion of job openings within major European defence firms, capturing 14.5% of all advertised positions. France follows with 11.9%, while Germany holds a slightly lower share at 10.2%.

Key Hiring Trends by Country

• United Kingdom: Software Development – 14.5%
• France: Software Development – 11.9%
• Germany: Software Development – 10.2%

France: Industrial Engineering Leads

Among French defence employers, industrial engineering dominates the hiring landscape, representing 19% of all job posts. Other prominent categories include:

• Engineering – significant demand across sectors
• Manufacturing – steady growth in production roles
• Management – leadership positions remain in high demand

Market Outlook

Industry analyst Sondergeld notes that current market dynamics appear to be benefiting defence recruiters. This advantage is partly due to a marked decline in traditional technology role advertisements across Europe in recent years, prompting companies to invest more heavily in defence-focused talent acquisition.

Role of rise in defence spending

European Defence Industry Sees Surge in Recruitment

Experts attribute the recent wave of new defence job ads and hiring trends to a spike in military spending across the continent. According to Dr. Calle Håkansson, a leading researcher at the Swedish Defence Research Agency, this increase is “clear and direct.”

Driving Factors

• Escalating Military Expenditure – Recent SIPRI data indicate that global defence budgets are experiencing the highest growth since the Cold War’s conclusion.
• Security Landscape – A deteriorating security environment both within Europe and worldwide is demanding larger production capabilities.
• Order Book Expansion – European contracts are steadily expanding, pushing manufacturers to scale up output.

Impact on Hiring

Dr. Håkansson explained that the increasing order books have directly translated into heightened demand for skilled personnel across the defence supply chain. “These developments are visibly reshaping the industry, now in many countries on the rise in job offers and recruitment activities,” he said to Euronews Business.

Career Opportunities in Sweden

In Sweden, the defence company Saab has risen to prominence, becoming a top choice for recent engineering graduates. The firm’s robust growth prospects and reputation as a “dream employer” is contributing to the continent’s talent pipeline.

Context from Larger Institutions

Dr. Caroline Batka, a senior military analyst from Comenius University, underlines that NATO’s directive to push defence spending beyond 2 % of GDP is reinforcing the sector’s expansion.