Veterans: A shifting profile

According to the latest data from The Department of Veterans Affairs, American veterans number about 19 million, or less than 10% of the U.S. population.

For this Veterans Day, let’s take a glimpse at how their profiles have been changing.

Pew Research compiled statistics from the VA, U.S. Census Bureau and other official sources to get a picture of those who’ve served our nation in the military. Here are some of the key facts from that April 2021 report:

1. Gulf War-era veterans (7.8 million) are the largest share of all U.S. veterans, surpassing Vietnam-era (now 5.9 million) veterans in 2016. World War II veterans number about 240,000, Korean conflict vets, about 933,000. (Those who served in two periods were counted with the first.)

2. Most served in wartime. Roughly three-quarters (78%) served during wartime, and 22% during peacetime. (Veterans with both were counted in wartime.)

3. The U.S. population share with military experience is declining. In 2018, about 7% of U.S. adults were veterans, down from 18% in 1980. Over the past half-century, the number of people on active duty dropped from 3.5 million in 1968 during the military draft era to about 1.4 million (or less than 1% of all adults) in today’s all-volunteer force. The draft ended in 1973.

4. The VA expects the veteran population to keep declining. By 2046, the VA estimates there will be about 12.5 million vets, about 35% fewer than today.

5. Demographics: Younger, more diverse, more women. Currently, about nine-in-10 veterans (89%) are men. By 2046, the number of female veterans — now about 2 million — is expected to increase to 2.2 million. The number of male veterans is projected to drop from about 17 million in 2021 to 10.3 million by 2046.

The veteran population will continue to become more racially and ethnically diverse, like U.S. population trends overall. Between 2021 and 2046, the share of “non-Hispanic White” veterans is expected to drop from 74% to 62%. The share of Hispanic vets is expected to double from 8% to 16%, with the share who are Black increasing slightly from 13% to 15%.

Projections also indicate this population is getting younger, with 33% of veterans expected to be under 50 in 2046, compared to 27% now. That’s curious as the overall U.S. population continues to age.

6. There are fewer vets in Congress. As the population share of American veterans has declined, so has its share among federal lawmakers. In the current Congress, only 17% of members are vets. The share of senators with military service reached a post-Korean War peak of 81% in 1975, while the share among House members peaked in 1967 at 75%. However, both Republicans and Democrats are making special efforts to recruit more veterans to run for office. The most recently elected freshman membership includes 15 such lawmakers.

7. Americans see veterans’ services as a top priority. In a March 2019 Pew survey, 72% of U.S. adults (with identical 72% shares of self-identified Republicans and Democrats) said they’d increase spending for veterans’ benefits and services over other program areas, except for education (which ranked close to vet benefits). This was the second-highest level of support for increased spending on veterans services since the Center first asked the question in 2001.

To all veterans, thank you for your service.

Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Email [email protected].