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Defense and security

Get unbiased data and visuals on military recruitment, veterans, border security, and foreign affairs. These reports use government sources to help Americans understand national security and defense.

Defense and security
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Defense and security

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DEFENSE & VETERANS 03 Army Veteran Military Soldier Enlisted Line Up
Defense and security
How does the government support veterans?

Over 93% of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ annual spending funds pensions, compensation, medical care, and education programs for veterans.

DEFENSE & VETERANS 03 Army Veteran Military Soldier Enlisted Bars Down
Defense and security
Is military enlistment down?

Enlistment numbers have steadily dropped for the past 40 years. More than 148,318 people enlisted in the US armed forces in 2020, a 59% decline from 1980.

DEFENSE & VETERANS 02 Army Veteran Military Soldier Enlisted Line Down
Defense and security
How is the standard of living changing for veterans?

The 16.2 million veterans in the US in 2022 earn a higher median income and have lower rates of unemployment and poverty than the general population.

IMMIGRATION 03 Border Wall Illegal Undocumented Bars Pink
Defense and security
Border recidivism: How common are repeat illegal border crossings?

More than a quarter of migrants attempted to illegally cross into the US more than once in fiscal years 2020 and 2021.

IMMIGRATION 03 Border Wall Illegal Undocumented Line Up
Defense and security
What can the data tell us about unauthorized immigration?

The US reported nearly 7.7 million unauthorized border encounters between October 2019 and June 2023.

DEFENSE & VETERANS 03 Army Veteran Military Soldier Enlisted Bars Down
Defense and security
Military recruitment is down. Why don’t young Americans want to join?

A diminishing pool of Americans are eligible to join the Army, Navy, or Air Force. An even smaller pool want to.

DEFENSE & VETERANS 03 Army Veteran Military Soldier Enlisted Line Up
Defense and security
How much does the US spend on the Space Force?

The first new branch of the US military since 1947, Space Force was established to protect the United States’ interests in space amid a growing spectrum of threats.

IMMIGRATION 01 Statue Liberty NYC City Skyline Bars blue
Defense and security
How many refugees are entering the US?

The influx of refugees dropped sharply after 2016, but appears to be growing again.

General USA America Government 03 Flag Bars Up Blue
Defense and security
Anonymously reported sexual assaults at military academies reached a 14-year high in 2021–22

The 2021–22 school year had the highest rate of restricted reports since 2007.

Article_Share_Images USA Liberty Population Immigration PINK 1200x630
Defense and security
How many people die crossing the US-Mexico border?

Fleeing violence and poverty, thousands of migrants from Central and South America make the long and dangerous journey from Mexico to the United States every year. Hundreds perish in the process.

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