The U.S. Veteran Population

Updated August 5, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

The following table shows the number of military personnel who served in America's wars, from World War II through the Gulf War. Data is most recent available.

Period of service Number
in 2015
Percentage
of all
veterans
All veterans, 18 years and over 18,830,450 100.0%
Gulf War Era 6,774,268 36.0
16.6 (post 9/11)
19.4 (pre 9/11)
Vietnam Era 6,783,342 36.0
Korean Conflict 1,778,326 9.4
World War II 930,477 4.9
NOTE: The figures do not add up to 100 percent because veterans may have served in more than one time period.
Source: The U.S. Census Bureau.

Veterans
Veterans
Sources +