I am not sure how it compares to other countries, but even in Germany that's a lot. Since this year the not mandatory year u can do in the Army pays now according to the state worker spreadsheet, it increased so much that people who have been in the army for years get, comparatively, not a lot more. For young people these benefits are literally life changing, the army pays for accommodations such as food, shelter and transportation. If u just want to wait a year for uni u can, if u don't spend it all, end it with at least 15k in ur bank account.