Throughout the 19th century, the share of military personnel employed by the United States government was below 0.2 percent of the total population in most years. There were noticeable spikes in enlistments and conscriptions during the American Civil War (1861-65), the First World War (1917-18*), and Second World War (1941-45*), as well as smaller increases during the Mexican-American War (1946-48) and the Spanish-American War (1898), but figures were generally much lower than the post-WWII era.

Following the Second World War, the United States abandoned many of its isolationist positions as it sought to become the world's leading superpower. This involved stationing millions of troops in overseas bases during the Cold War, in strategically important locations such as West Germany, Japan, and Taiwan. Additionally, involvement in conflicts such as the Korean War (1950-1953) and Vietnam War (1964-1973*) kept military employment high, usually between 1-2 percent until the 1970s. Figures remained just below the one percent mark until the 1990s, when the end of the Cold War and the growing influence of technology in conventional warfare saw a decrease in demand for many traditional combat roles. Despite U.S. involvement in a number of overseas conflicts in the 21st century, military personnel represented less than 0.5 percent of the total population in most years between 2000 and 2016.

The graph illustrates the number of personnel in each branch of the U.S. Military for the year 2024. The x-axis lists the military branches: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. The y-axis represents the number of personnel, ranging from 9,446 to 449,816. Among the branches, the Army has the highest number of personnel with 449,816, followed by the Navy with 332,336 and the Air Force with 315,958. The Marine Corps and Coast Guard have 173,096 and 40,612 personnel, respectively, while the Space Force has the lowest number at 9,446. The data is displayed in a bar graph format, effectively highlighting the distribution of military personnel across the different branches.

Services and Support Programs for Military Service Members and Veterans, 2012-13 (PEQIS 19), is a study that is part of the Postsecondary Education Quick Information System (PEQIS) program; program data is available since 1997-98 at . PEQIS 19 (https://nces.ed.gov/peqis/) is a cross-sectional survey that collected information on the services and support programs available to students who are military service members and veterans at the institution. The study was conducted using self-administered paper-and-pencil questionnaires of a person at the postsecondary institution that is familiar with the institution programs for military service members and veterans. Key statistics produced from PEQIS 19 were services and support programs for military members and veterans.

Over the course of the Second World War approximately 127.2 million people were mobilized. The world's population in 1940 was roughly 2.3 billion, meaning that between five and six percent of the world was drafted into the military in some capacity. Approximately one in every 25 people mobilized were women, who generally served in an administrative or medical role, although hundreds of thousands of women did see active combat. Largest armies In absolute numbers, the Soviet Union mobilized the largest number of people at just under 34.5 million, and this included roughly 35 percent of the USSR's male population. By the war's end, more Soviets were mobilized than all European Axis powers combined. However, in relative terms, it was Germany who mobilized the largest share of its male population, with approximately 42 percent of men serving. The USSR was forced to find a balance between reinforcing its frontlines and maintaining agricultural and military production to supply its army (in addition to those in annexed territory after 1941), whereas a large share of soldiers taken from the German workforce were replaced by workers drafted or forcibly taken from other countries (including concentration camp prisoners and PoWs). Studying the figures The figures given in these statistics are a very simplified and rounded overview - in reality, there were many nuances in the number of people who were effectively mobilized for each country, their roles, and their status as auxiliary, collaborative, or resistance forces. The British Empire is the only power where distinctions are made between the metropole and its colonies or territories, whereas breakdowns of those who fought in other parts of Asia or Africa remains unclear. Additionally, when comparing this data with total fatalities, it is important to account for the civilian death toll, i.e. those who were not mobilized.

SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES VETERAN STATUS - DP02 Universe - Civilian population 18 Year and over Survey-Program - American Community Survey 5-year estimates Years - 2020, 2021, 2022 Veteran status is used to identify people with active duty military service and service in the military Reserves and the National Guard. Veterans are men and women who have served (even for a short time), but are not currently serving, on active duty in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or the Coast Guard, or who served in the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II. People who served in the National Guard or Reserves are classified as veterans only if they were ever called or ordered to active duty, not counting the 4-6 months for initial training or yearly summer camps.

Ukraine UA: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 1.406 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.223 % for 2015. Ukraine UA: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 1.406 % from Dec 1992 (Median) to 2016, with 25 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.101 % in 1995 and a record low of 0.563 % in 2013. Ukraine UA: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ukraine – Table UA.World Bank.WDI: Defense and Official Development Assistance. Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Labor force comprises all people who meet the International Labour Organization's definition of the economically active population.; ; International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance.; Weighted average; Data for some countries are based on partial or uncertain data or rough estimates.

This graph shows the total number of soldiers who were enlisted in the Union and Confederate armies during the American Civil War, between 1861 and 1865. The total population of the Union states was 18.9 million in 1860, and the Confederate states in the south had a population of 8.6 million. The Border States, who primarily supported the Union but sent troops to both sides, had a population of 3.5 million. From the graph we can see that over the course of the war a total of 2.1 million men enlisted for the Union Army, and 1.1 million enlisted for the Confederate Army. The Union Army had roughly double the number of soldiers of the Confederacy, and although the Confederacy won more major battles than the Union in the early stages of the war, the strength of numbers in the Union forces was a decisive factor in their overall victory as the war progressed.

United States US: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 0.828 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.838 % for 2015. United States US: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 0.995 % from Sep 1990 (Median) to 2016, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.704 % in 1990 and a record low of 0.828 % in 2016. United States US: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.World Bank.WDI: Defense and Official Development Assistance. Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Labor force comprises all people who meet the International Labour Organization's definition of the economically active population.; ; International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance.; Weighted average; Data for some countries are based on partial or uncertain data or rough estimates.

United Kingdom UK: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 0.446 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.456 % for 2015. United Kingdom UK: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 0.711 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2016, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.061 % in 1990 and a record low of 0.446 % in 2016. United Kingdom UK: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Kingdom – Table UK.World Bank.WDI: Defense and Official Development Assistance. Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Labor force comprises all people who meet the International Labour Organization's definition of the economically active population.; ; International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance.; Weighted average; Data for some countries are based on partial or uncertain data or rough estimates.

Philippines PH: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 0.378 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.385 % for 2015. Philippines PH: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 0.440 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2016, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.566 % in 1995 and a record low of 0.378 % in 2016. Philippines PH: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Philippines – Table PH.World Bank.WDI: Defense and Official Development Assistance. Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Labor force comprises all people who meet the International Labour Organization's definition of the economically active population.; ; International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance.; Weighted average; Data for some countries are based on partial or uncertain data or rough estimates.

Kenya KE: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 0.155 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.160 % for 2015. Kenya KE: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 0.222 % from Jun 1990 (Median) to 2016, with 26 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.276 % in 1995 and a record low of 0.155 % in 2016. Kenya KE: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Kenya – Table KE.World Bank.WDI: Defense and Official Development Assistance. Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Labor force comprises all people who meet the International Labour Organization's definition of the economically active population.; ; International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance.; Weighted average; Data for some countries are based on partial or uncertain data or rough estimates.

Ivory Coast CI: Armed Forces Personnel: Total data was reported at 25,000.000 Person in 2016. This stayed constant from the previous number of 25,000.000 Person for 2015. Ivory Coast CI: Armed Forces Personnel: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 15,000.000 Person from Dec 1989 (Median) to 2016, with 19 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 25,000.000 Person in 2016 and a record low of 15,000.000 Person in 1999. Ivory Coast CI: Armed Forces Personnel: Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ivory Coast – Table CI.World Bank.WDI: Defense and Official Development Assistance. Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces.; ; International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance.; Sum; Data for some countries are based on partial or uncertain data or rough estimates.

Syria SY: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 6.425 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 5.753 % for 2015. Syria SY: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 8.045 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2016, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12.507 % in 1995 and a record low of 3.143 % in 2011. Syria SY: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Syrian Arab Republic – Table SY.World Bank.WDI: Defense and Official Development Assistance. Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Labor force comprises all people who meet the International Labour Organization's definition of the economically active population.; ; International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance.; Weighted average; Data for some countries are based on partial or uncertain data or rough estimates.

The purpose of this agreement is for SSA to verify the SSNs and other identifying information, and confirm citizenship information to the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) of the Department of Defense. DMDC will use the data provided by SSA to validate the identity of individuals entering or serving in the Armed Forces and to identify potential enlistees and members of the military who are aliens or non-citizens.

Male students in specialized colleges or above may apply for military training during two consecutive summer vacations in stages according to their aspirations. When the number of applicants exceeds the training quota, the selection will be determined by drawing lots.

Japan JP: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 0.390 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.391 % for 2016. Japan JP: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 0.376 % from Mar 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.408 % in 2006 and a record low of 0.350 % in 1995. Japan JP: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.World Bank.WDI: Defense and Official Development Assistance. Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Labor force comprises all people who meet the International Labour Organization's definition of the economically active population.; ; International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance.; Weighted average; Data for some countries are based on partial or uncertain data or rough estimates.

Replication data for: Much Ado about Nothing? New Evidence on the Effects of Payday Lending on Military Members

Georgia GE: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 1.280 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.266 % for 2015. Georgia GE: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 1.498 % from Dec 1993 (Median) to 2016, with 24 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.730 % in 1998 and a record low of 0.282 % in 1994. Georgia GE: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Georgia – Table GE.World Bank.WDI: Defense and Official Development Assistance. Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Labor force comprises all people who meet the International Labour Organization's definition of the economically active population.; ; International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance.; Weighted average; Data for some countries are based on partial or uncertain data or rough estimates.

Sudan SD: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 1.146 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.503 % for 2015. Sudan SD: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 1.437 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2016, with 26 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.775 % in 2011 and a record low of 1.132 % in 1991. Sudan SD: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Sudan – Table SD.World Bank.WDI: Defense and Official Development Assistance. Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Labor force comprises all people who meet the International Labour Organization's definition of the economically active population.; ; International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance.; Weighted average; Data for some countries are based on partial or uncertain data or rough estimates.

Costa Rica CR: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 0.413 % in 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.395 % for 2019. Costa Rica CR: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 0.523 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2020, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.514 % in 2002 and a record low of 0.395 % in 2019. Costa Rica CR: Armed Forces Personnel: % of Total Labour Force data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Costa Rica – Table CR.World Bank.WDI: Defense and Official Development Assistance. Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Labor force comprises all people who meet the International Labour Organization's definition of the economically active population.;International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance.;Weighted average;Data for some countries are based on partial or uncertain data or rough estimates.