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Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey
Bureau of Labor Statistics > Current Population Survey > Home

Veterans

Here you will find labor force, employment, and unemployment statistics by veteran status from the Current Population Survey (CPS) as well as information about these data. The CPS covers the nation’s civilian noninstitutional population ages 16 and older and typically provides veteran data on people ages 18 and older.

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Understanding these data

What you need to know

How are veterans defined in the CPS?

Veterans are men and women who previously served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and who were civilians at the time they were surveyed. Members of the Reserve and National Guard are counted as veterans if they had ever been called to active duty. People who are on active duty at the time of the survey are outside the scope of the survey and thus not in the estimates shown here.

Historical comparability

  • Beginning with data for January 2014, estimates for veterans incorporate updated weighting procedures that more accurately reflect the current demographic composition of the veteran population. The new weighting methodology had little effect on unemployment rates for veterans, regardless of gender or period of service. Learn more about the effect of the January 2014 weighting change on labor force estimates for veterans.
  • Effective with data for January 2023, estimates for veterans incorporate population controls derived from a new Department of Veterans Affairs Veteran Population Projection Model (VetPop2020). In accordance with usual practice, BLS did not revise estimates for previous years. See also Veteran Population Projection Model.
  • See also Revised Data from the August 1995 Vietnam Veterans Survey

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Last modified date: December 2, 2025