Unemployment rate for veterans was 3.0 percent in 2024

In 2024, 17.6 million men and women were veterans, accounting for about 7 percent of the civilian noninstitutional population age 18 and over. About 12 percent of veterans were women.

The unemployment rate for all veterans (3.0 percent) was little changed from a year earlier, but was lower than the rate for nonveterans (3.9 percent). The unemployment rates for male veterans (2.9 percent) and female veterans (3.5 percent) also changed little over this period. The unemployment rate for male veterans was not statistically different from the rate for female veterans.

These data are from the Current Population Survey. For more information, see “Employment Situation of Veterans — 2024” and labor force statistics for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans are men and women who previously served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and were civilians when they were surveyed. People on active duty are not included in the survey.