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Home / Reports / State of the Union / Defense

Defense

Defense spending increased 2.9% to $994.6 billion in 2023, but was 14.0% lower than its 2010 peak.

The largest portion (31.5%) compensated military and civilian personnel.

Defense

The nation spent $73.9 billion on foreign aid in FY 2022, a 23.9% increase from FY 2021 and 1% of the federal budget.

Eighty-six percent of foreign aid was economic assistance. FY 2022 foreign aid spending data is partial as of publication.

Defense

According to preliminary data, the US made $13.1 billion in Ukraine aid obligations in FY 2022, more than 23 times higher than FY 2021 and nearly 32 times higher than the 2000–2021 average.

Afghanistan and Israel received the most US foreign aid between 2017 and 2020, but Afghanistan dropped to the fourth top aid-receiving country in 2021 and 2022.

Partial FY 2023 data shows that the US has sent about $16.6 billion in assistance to Ukraine. This is the most aid the US has ever given Ukraine and more than it granted any other country in FY 2021 (the most recent year for which full foreign aid data is available). Aid to Israel in FY 2023 was $3.3 billion. Foreign aid data for FY 2022 and FY 2023 will update as agencies continue to report obligations.

Defense

There were about 1.3 million active-duty military in 2023, 41% fewer than in 1987 — the recent peak.

The military also employed over 778,000 civilians. The military’s size has been consistent since 1998, growing or shrinking by 3% or less in any year.

Defense

There were 168,571 permanently assigned active-duty troops abroad in 2023.

The US military’s presence is largest in Japan and Germany, where 32% and 21% of active-duty troops are permanently assigned, respectively.

Defense

Veterans consistently have a lower unemployment level than the national rate.

In 2023, 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.

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