No results found

We're sorry, but there are no results that match your search criteria. Try checking your spelling or using alternate search terms.

We add new data to USAFacts all the time; you can subscribe to our newsletter to get unbiased, data-driven insights sent to your inbox weekly, no searching required.

Subscribe to get unbiased, data-driven insights sent to your inbox weekly.

Topics

Subscribe to get unbiased, data-driven insights sent to your inbox weekly.

Home / Reports / 2023 State of the Union / Defense

Defense

Defense spending decreased 5.3% in 2022 and was 16.7% lower than its 2010 peak.

The largest portion (about 32.2%) compensated military and civilian personnel.

Defense

Afghanistan and Israel received the most US foreign aid between 2017 and 2020. That aid decreased by 20% and 1% in 2020, respectively.

Preliminary 2022 data shows that the US has sent about $10 billion in assistance to Ukraine. This is the most aid ever given to Ukraine and more than the US granted any other country in 2020 (the most recent year for which full foreign aid data is available).

Defense

The nation spent $57.0 billion on foreign aid in FY 2020, a 4.6% increase from FY 2019.

Foreign aid made up 1% of the federal budget, and more than three-quarters of it was economic assistance. FY 2021 and 2022 foreign aid spending data is incomplete as of publication.

Defense

There were 1.3 million active-duty military in 2022, 39% fewer than in 1987 — its recent peak.

The military also employed 743,000 civilians. The military’s size has been consistent over the last 20 years, growing or shrinking by 3% or less in any year.

Defense

There were 171,736 permanently assigned active-duty troops abroad in 2022.

The US military’s presence is largest in Japan and Germany, where 31% and 21% of active-duty troops are permanently assigned, respectively.

The United States deployed 20,000 additional troops to Europe in response to the Ukraine crisis in 2022. Many US troops went to NATO-allied countries, such as Germany and Poland. There are about 100,000 US service members in Europe.

Defense

Veterans consistently have lower unemployment levels than the national rate.

In 2022, their average unemployment rate was 2.8% compared to 3.6% for the nation overall. They also have lower rates of poverty and higher rates of disability.

Continue exploring the State of the Union (2023)

Explore more of USAFacts