This report documents an analysis of nationally representative datasets to provide updated estimates of U.S. veteran demographics and mental health and labor market outcomes. The authors summarize relevant trends to inform policymakers, researchers, and the public about the welfare of the U.S. veteran population and highlight differences by service era and subgroup that have implications for policy and planning.

A Summary of Veteran-Related Statistics

Second Edition

Megan S. Schuler, Aimee Bower, Carrie M. Farmer, Jessica Phillips, Rajeev Ramchand

ResearchPublished Nov 4, 2025

In this report, the authors provide updated analyses of U.S. veteran demographics, mental health, and labor market outcomes using nationally representative datasets, including the American Community Survey, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, and Current Population Survey.

Veterans now comprise a shrinking share of the U.S. adult population, declining from 11.7 percent in 2011 to 6.1 percent in 2023. The veteran population is older and less racially and ethnically diverse than nonveterans. However, those veterans who served after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 (9/11), are substantially younger, more diverse, and more likely to hold a bachelor's degree than earlier veteran cohorts.

Patterns in mental health outcomes underscore important challenges for certain subgroups. Younger and post-9/11 veterans report higher levels of psychological distress and substance use disorders compared with older veterans and, in some cases, their nonveteran peers. Alcohol-related risks are elevated across the course of their lives, and treatment utilization varies, with higher rates observed among post-9/11, female, and sexual minority veterans.

Labor market outcomes suggest that veterans are generally well integrated into the civilian workforce. Veterans have lower unemployment rates than nonveterans, their household incomes are higher on average, and they are more likely to be employed in the public sector.

Collectively, these findings provide policymakers, practitioners, and veteran-serving organizations with timely evidence to guide policies, services, and interventions that address the evolving needs of the veteran population.

Key Findings

  • Veterans make up a declining share of the U.S. adult population: 6.1 percent in 2023, down from 11.7 percent in 2011.
  • Post-9/11 veterans represent 28.1 percent of the veteran population and are younger and more diverse than earlier cohorts.
  • Veterans are older and less racially and ethnically diverse than nonveterans overall, although educational attainment is broadly similar.
  • Veterans are most concentrated in southern and western states. Post-9/11 veterans are more likely to live in areas with strong military and veteran infrastructure.
  • Younger veterans face the highest burden of mental health and substance use issues, often exceeding rates observed in nonveteran peers.
  • Alcohol-related outcomes are elevated across most ages for veterans, with higher rates of binge drinking and alcohol use disorder than those of nonveterans.
  • Post-9/11, bisexual, and racial/ethnic minority veterans report elevated substance-related risks, including higher rates of binge drinking, marijuana use, and substance use disorders than those of other veterans.
  • Veterans and nonveterans have comparable labor force participation, but veterans are slightly less unemployed.
  • Current college enrollment remains lower among veterans; those enrolled are likely to be working while attending school.
  • Veterans are more likely to work in public administration, manufacturing, transportation, and utilities; nonveterans are more concentrated in education, health care, and food services.
  • Veterans are nearly twice as likely as nonveterans to be employed in the public sector.
  • Veterans are more likely than nonveterans to fall into higher income brackets, with nearly 30 percent earning $150,000 or more annually.

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Citation

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Schuler, Megan S., Aimee Bower, Carrie M. Farmer, Jessica Phillips, and Rajeev Ramchand, A Summary of Veteran-Related Statistics: Second Edition. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2025. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1363-5-v2.html.
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Funding for this publication was made possible by a generous gift from Daniel J. Epstein through the Epstein Family Foundation. The research was conducted by the RAND Epstein Family Veterans Policy Research Institute within RAND Education, Employment, and Infrastructure.

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Version Note

This publication supersedes a previous version published in 2023 (RR-A1363-5).