Direct answer: The most commonly cited recent figure is that there are about 15.8 to 18 million living veterans in the United States, with estimates depending on the year and source. For 2023 data, Census Bureau estimates place living veterans at roughly 15.8 million (about 6.1% of the adult population). More recent summaries and VA analyses project counts in the upper teens for living veterans, with some models suggesting around 18 million today and a gradual decline over the next couple of decades. Context and nuances:
- Population share and count vary by source and year. The Census Bureau’s 2023 estimates show about 15.8 million veterans, representing about 6% of the adult population 18 and over. [Census Bureau data, 2023]
- VA analyses and other aggregations sometimes cite a higher baseline (around 18 million) and project a decline toward roughly 12–13 million by 2048, as Gulf War and Post-9/11 cohorts age and overall veteran numbers shrink. [VA and VA-based population projections]
- The veteran population is aging: a substantial share is 65 or older, and the share under 50 is growing relative to the overall veteran population in projections. [VA population projections]
- Racial, ethnic, and gender demographics are shifting: women veterans are increasing as a share, and the racial/ethnic composition is becoming more diverse over time. [VA population projections]
If you’d like, I can pull the latest official figures from the Census Bureau and the Department of Veterans Affairs to give a precise, up-to-date number with the exact source and year.
