Survey of Veterans - Unemployment Fell in 2013

Unemployment Rate for Veterans - White House Chart. 

Here are highlights of 2013 job data on veterans, based on a special survey of veterans as well as the regular BLS sample of civilian employment. The data were released today (March 20) by the BLS:

• Unemployment among Gulf War II veterans was down slightly to 9.0 percent in 2013.  For all veterans, it fell to 6.6 percent. The unemployment rate for all female veterans declined to 6.9 percent. The rate for male veterans fell to 6.5 percent.  Among the 722,000 unemployed veterans, 60 percent were 45 years old and over; 35 percent were 25-44, and 5 percent were 18-24. (Tables A, 2A.) 
• Number of Veterans by Period of Service.  The country's 21.4 million veterans were 9 percent of the civilian non-institutional population 18 and over. Veterans are more likely than nonveterans to be men and to be older than nonveterans, partly because veterans who served during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam era account for nearly one-half (9.8 million) of all veterans, and only men were drafted. More than one-fourth of veterans (6.1 million) served during the Gulf War era. Another one-fourth (5.5 million) served outside the designated wartime periods. (Table 1.) 
• Variation by State. The unemployment rate of veterans varied by state from above 10 percent in Michigan and New Jersey to below 4 percent in Delaware, Iowa, North Dakota, Vermont, and Virginia. (Table 6A.) 
• Gulf War II Veterans.  Of the nation's veterans, 2.8 million served during Gulf War era II. Of them, 20 percent were women, compared with 4 percent of veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam era. More than half of Gulf War II veterans were aged 25-34.  Among Gulf War II veterans, the unemployment rates for men (8.8 percent) and women (9.6 percent) were not statistically different from the prior year (9.5 percent and 12.5 percent). Among women, the unemployment rate for Gulf War II veterans (9.6 percent) was higher than the rate for nonveterans (6.8 percent).  The unemployment rate for male Gulf War II veterans (8.8 percent) was higher than the rate for male nonveterans (7.5 percent) in 2013. (Tables A,1, 2A, 2C.)
• Unemployment by Age among Gulf War II Veterans. The unemployment rates differed by age. Male Gulf War II veterans18-24 had a higher unemployment rate, 24.3 percent, than male nonveterans of the same age group, 15.8 percent. For those 25-34, male veterans also had a higher rate, 9.2 percent, than male nonveterans, 7.5 percent. For men 35 and older, unemployment rates were little different for Gulf War II veterans and nonveterans. (Table 2B.) 
• Occupations of Gulf War II Veterans. Veterans of Gulf War II and nonveterans had similar occupations in 2013 after accounting for gender. About one-third of the employed men in both groups worked in management and professional occupations, a higher proportion than in any other major occupational group. Among employed women, more than 40 percent of Gulf War II veterans and nonveterans worked in management and professional occupations.  A higher proportion of employed Gulf War II veterans worked in the public sector in 2013, 28 percent, than employed nonveterans, 14 percent. The federal government employed 16 percent of Gulf War II veterans, eight times the share (2 percent) of employed nonveterans. Of Gulf War II veterans, 40 percent reported serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. These veterans had an unemployment rate of 10.2 percent, little different from Gulf War II veterans who served elsewhere (10.9 percent). (Tables 4, 5, 10.) 
• Gulf War I Veterans.  For the 3.2 million veterans who served during Gulf War I (August 1990 to August 2001), the proportion that were women (19 percent) was similar to that of Gulf War II veterans. Almost all Gulf War I veterans were age 35 and over (91 percent) in 2013, compared with 41 percent of Gulf War II veterans. In 2013, the unemployment rates for male and female Gulf War I veterans were 5.7 percent and 5.3 percent, respectively, lower than the rates for their Gulf War II veteran counterparts (8.8 percent and 9.6 percent, respectively). These differences in the unemployment rates reflect, at least in part, the older age profile of veterans who served during Gulf War I. Younger workers, veterans or nonveterans, are more likely to be unemployed than older workers. Unemployment rates of Gulf War I veterans were little different from their nonveteran counterparts of the same age and gender groups. (Tables 1, 2A, 2B, 2C.) 
• Veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam Era.  Of all veterans, 9.8 million served during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam era. All of them were at least 55 years old, and more than 70 percent were at least 65 years old. Nearly all (96 percent) of these veterans were men. In 2013, 30.0 percent of male veterans of these wartime periods were in the labor force, and their unemployment rate was 6.5 percent. Male veterans of these wartime periods had lower labor force participation rates than did male nonveterans in the same age categories. (Tables 1, 2B.) 
• Veterans of Other (Non-War) Service Periods.  A total of 5.5 million veterans served on active duty during "other service periods," mainly between the Korean War and the Vietnam era, and between the Vietnam era and Gulf War I. This group is concentrated in two age ranges - 38 percent were 45-54 and another 38 percent were 65 years and over, for a total of 76 percent. Men account for 9 in 10 veterans of "other service periods". Among most age groups, male veterans of service periods between the designated wartime periods had unemployment rates that were little different than those of male nonveterans. (Tables 1, 2A, 2B.)
• Disabled Veterans. About 3.2 million veterans, or 15 percent,  reported a service-connected disability. The rate was nearly twice the overall rate, 29 percent, for Gulf War II veterans. Veterans with a service-connected disability had an unemployment rate of 6.2 percent, little different from the rate for veterans with no disability (6.6 percent). One in three employed veterans with a service-connected disability worked in the public sector, a higher share than veterans with no disability, for whom the ratio was one in five. Regardless of period of service, 31 percent of employed veterans with a disability worked in federal, state, or local government, much higher than the 19 percent of veterans with no disability and 13 percent of nonveterans. The federal government employed 19 percent of veterans with a disability, nearly three times the rate, 7 percent, of veterans with no disability, and 2 percent of employed nonveterans. (Tables 7, 8.) 
• Disabled Veterans by Severity of Disability.  Veterans with a service-connected disability are assigned a disability rating from 0 to 100 percent, in increments of 10 percentage points, depending on the severity of the condition. Among veterans with a service-connected disability, 35 percent reported a disability rating below 30 percent, while about 3 in 10 had a rating of 60 percent or higher. Veterans with a service-connected disability rating below 30 percent (i.e., 56 percent of all veterans) were nearly twice as likely to be in the labor force as those with a rating of 60 percent or higher (i.e., 28.9 percent of veterans). 
• Employment and Unemployment among Disabled Veterans. Of Gulf War II veterans with a service-connected disability, 70.5 percent were in the labor force, lower than the labor force participation rate of 85.4 percent for veterans from this period with no service-connected disability. Among Gulf War II veterans, the unemployment rate of those with a disability was 8.6 percent, not statistically different from those with no disability (11.1 percent). Nearly 20 percent (589,000) of veterans who served during Gulf War I reported a service-connected disability. Their labor force participation rate (71.3 percent) was lower than the rate for veterans from the era who did not have a disability (86.8 percent). Unemployment rates for Gulf War I veterans with service-connected disabilities, 4.1 percent, was not  statistically different from that of those without, 6.5 percent. Among the 1.3 million veterans with a service-connected disability from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam eras, 16.8 percent were in the labor force, compared with 30.3 percent of veterans from these periods without. The unemployment rate of veterans with a disability from these wartime periods was 7.6 percent, not statistically different from their counterparts with no disability (5.3 percent). Veterans with a service-connected disability from other service periods had a labor force participation rate of 55.5 percent, below the 56.2 percent for veterans with no disability from these periods. Among veterans from other service periods, the unemployment rates of those with service-connected disabilities was 2.7 percent, not statistically different from the 5.3 percent for other veterans. (Tables 7, 8.)
• Unemployment among Reserve or National Guard Members. Nearly 30 percent of Gulf War veterans were reported to be current or past members of the Reserve or National Guard. Unemployment rates were similar for those veterans compared with other veterans. Among Gulf War II veterans, those who were current or past members of the Reserve or National Guard had an 85.4 labor force participation rate, higher than the 77.4 percent rate for those who had never been members. For veterans of Gulf War I, labor force participation rates were similar for members and nonmembers. (Table 9.)

For links to all the original data by table, with full definitions and sources, go here.

Unemployment Fell in September for Female Vets, But Not Male Vets

During the last year - higher rate of
unemployment of male vets.

Based on data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning, as of September more jobs are being found by male veterans who did not serve in wartime. Also by male non-veterans.

But those who served in wartime are not having such luck. Their unemployment rates during the last year ending in September have been rising for every period of service.

The good news is that the level of unemployment is lower among male vets than the non-veteran population, although (1) this is not true for the youngest vets, the Gulf War II cohort, and (2) some part of the explanation is not such good news, i.e., the portion of veterans whose service-related disabilities have forced them out of the labor force.

During the past year, the unemployment rate of wartime male veterans has increased for every period of service. It has declined from 6 percent to 5.1 percent for male veterans of non-wartime service. It has also declined for non-veterans.

Unemployment Rate % - Men Vets by Service vs. Non-Vets (BLS Table A-5) Source: BLS Household Survey for September 2013, released October 22, 2013.

Women vets from both Gulf Wars, and

those who did not serve in wartime, and

non-veteran women, have all been finding

more jobs during the last year. Older women vets

have not.

Female veterans below a certain age are faring much better. For those who served in either of the two Gulf War period, their unemployment rates have come down substantially during the past year. Those who served in Gulf War I are particularly fortunate, with an unemployment rate that fell from 19.9 percent to 11.6 percent. The improvement is also true for women vets who did not serve in wartime, and for non-veterans.

However, older women vets who served in WWII or the Korean or Vietnam wars have not seen the same improvement in their job-seeking success. Their unemployment rate rose slightly.

Unemployment Rate % - Women Vets by Service

vs. Non-Vets (BLS Table A-5) Source: BLS Household Survey for September 2013, released October 22, 2013.

JOBS | Problem #1 for Vets–Post-Discharge Work

What is the greatest challenge veterans say they face when they return to civilian life? Finding a job.  That was the conclusion of a careful survey by Prudential of veterans’ perceptions and experiences transitioning from military to civilian life. Nearly 70 percent of them  said “finding a job” is their greatest challenge.

Based on a poll of 1,845 Post-9/11 and Gulf War II-era Veterans, the survey showed that 64 percent experienced a difficult transition to civilian life. Prudential conducted the study in partnership with the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America to better understand veterans’ experiences and perceptions around finding civilian careers.

Raymond Weeks, vice president for Veterans Initiatives at Prudential, said at the time of the release of the report:

With tens of thousands of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans returning from service, the good news is that the nation is more focused than ever on helping veterans transition back into civilian careers. But with unemployment among veterans significantly higher than the population overall, particularly those under 30, the need to help get veterans on career paths has never been greater.

BLS Report on Veterans as of August 2012

The problems referred to by Mr. Weeks are shown in the annual Bureau of Labor Statistics report on the employment situation of veterans. 

The 2012 report shows a serious problem for veterans that served on active duty since 9/11, a cohort known as the Gulf War II era veterans. Unemployment among this group declined from the previous year but was still at a high 9.9 percent in 2012. The unemployment rate for all veterans was much lower, 7.0 percent.

One problem for Gulf War II vets is that 28 percent of them as of mid-2012 reported having a service-related disability, double the rate for all veterans. The report is based on the "household survey" of a sample of approximately 60,000 households. The monthly unemployment reports include questions relating to veterans in the surveyed households, so that the annual unemployment numbers are based on monthly data. However, the service-related disability questions are asked only in August of each year. 

Here are overall highlights of the 2012 survey: 
The unemployment rate for all male veterans declined by 1.4 percentage points to 6.9 percent in 2012. 
The rate for female veterans was little changed at 8.3 percent, higher than for men.
Veterans with a service-connected disability had an unemployment rate of 6.5 percent, comparable to veterans with no disability. 
One in three employed veterans with a service-connected disability worked in the public sector in August 2012, compared with one in five veterans with no disability. 
Gulf War-era II veterans who were current or past members of the reserve or National Guard had an unemployment rate of 7.2 percent in August 2012, approximately half the 13.7 percent rate for veterans who had not been members of the Reserve or National Guard. 
Gulf War-era II veterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, or both had an unemployment rate of 10.9 percent in August 2012, comparable to those who served elsewhere (11.3 percent).
In 2012, 21.2 million men and women in the civilian noninstitutional population ages 18 and over were veterans. 
Nearly half of them, 9.9 million people, served in World War II, the Korean War or the Vietnam War. 
In the survey, veterans are defined as men and women who have previously served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and who were civilians at the time the data were collected. 
Veterans are much more likely to be men and are significantly older than nonveterans. 
A total of 5.6 million veterans served during Gulf War era I (August 1990 to August 2001) or Gulf War era II (September 2001 forward). 
Another 5.7 million veterans served outside the designated wartime periods. 

Because age and other demographic differences affect labor force status, the next sections (unedited from the BLS release after the Gulf War era II section) focus on veterans by period of service. (See tables 1 and 2A.) 

Gulf War-Era II Veterans (Served Since 9-11)

In 2012, about 2.6 million of the nation's veterans had served during Gulf War era II. This is the group at greatest risk for unemployment. About 17 percent of these veterans were women, compared with 3 percent of veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam era. Almost half of all Gulf War-era II veterans were between the ages of 25 and 34. (See tables 1 and 2A.) Among male Gulf War-era II veterans, the unemployment rate fell by 2.5 percentage points to a still-high 9.5 percent from 2011 to 2012. The unemployment rate for female veterans, at a high 12.5 percent in 2012, was little different from the prior year. (See table 1.) In 2012, the unemployment rate for male Gulf War-era II veterans age 18 to 24 was 20.0 percent, higher than the rate for nonveterans of the same age group (16.4 percent). The rate for male veterans age 25 to 34 (10.4 percent) was also higher than the rate for their nonveteran counterparts (8.1 percent). For older age groups, the unemployment rates were little different for Gulf War-era II veterans and nonveterans. (See table 2B.) Veterans of Gulf War era II and nonveterans had similar occupational profiles in 2012 after accounting for gender. About one-third of the employed men in both groups worked in management and professional occupations, a higher proportion than in any other major occupational group. Among employed women, about 50 percent of Gulf War-era II veterans and 42 percent of nonveterans worked in management and professional occupations. (See table 4.) A higher proportion of employed Gulf War-era II veterans worked in the public sector in 2012 (25 percent) than employed nonveterans (14 percent). The federal government employed 14 percent of Gulf War-era II veterans, compared with about 2 percent of employed nonveterans. (See table 5.) In August 2012, approximately 35 percent of Gulf War-era II veterans reported that they had served in Iraq, Afghanistan, or both. (Some veterans did not report their location of service.) These veterans had an unemployment rate of 10.9 percent, not statistically different from Gulf War-era II veterans who served elsewhere (11.3 percent). (See table 9.) 

Gulf War-Era I Veterans 

For the 3.0 million veterans who served during Gulf War era I (August 1990 to August 2001), the proportion that were women (16 percent in 2012) was similar to that of Gulf War-era II veterans. About 88 percent of Gulf War-era I veterans were age 35 and over, compared with 40 percent of Gulf War-era II veterans. (See tables 1 and 2A.) In 2012, the unemployment rates for male and female Gulf War-era I veterans were 5.6 and 8.0 percent, respectively, lower than the rates for their Gulf War-era II veteran counterparts (9.5 and 12.5 percent, respectively). These differences in the unemployment rates reflect, at least in part, the older age profile of veterans who served during Gulf War era I. Younger workers--whether veterans or nonveterans--are more likely to be unemployed than older workers. Unemployment rates of Gulf War-era I veterans were little different from their nonveteran counterparts of the same age and gender groups. (See tables 2B and 2C.) 

Veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam Era 

In 2012, about 9.9 million veterans were estimated to have served during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam era. All of these veterans were at least 55 years old, and two-thirds were at least 65 years old. Nearly all (97 percent) of these veterans were men. In 2012, nearly one-third of male veterans of these wartime periods were in the labor force, and their unemployment rate was 6.4 percent. Male veterans of these wartime periods had lower labor force participation rates than did male nonveterans in the same age categories, while unemployment rates were similar. (See tables 1 and 2B.) 

Veterans of Other Service Periods 

In 2012, about 5.7 million veterans had served on active duty during "other service periods," mainly between the Korean War and the Vietnam era, and between the Vietnam era and Gulf War era I. Because these veterans served between the major wartime periods, which span several decades, this group is concentrated in two age ranges. About 41 percent of these veterans were 45 to 54 years old, and another 38 percent were 65 years and over. (See table 2A.) Nine in 10 veterans of other service periods were men. Among most age groups, male veterans of service periods between the designated wartime periods had unemployment rates that were little different than those of male nonveterans. (See tables 1 and 2B.) 

Veterans with a Service-Connected Disability 

In August 2012, about 3.0 million veterans, or 14 percent of the total, had a service-connected disability. (Some veterans did not report whether they had a service-connected disability.) Veterans with a service-connected disability are assigned a disability rating by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the U.S. Department of Defense. Ratings range from 0 to 100 percent, in increments of 10 percentage points, depending on the severity of the condition. (See table 6.) Among veterans with a service-connected disability, nearly 4 in 10 reported a disability rating of less than 30 percent, while about 3 in 10 had a rating of 60 percent or higher. In August 2012, veterans with a service-connected disability rating of less than 30 percent were more than twice as likely to be in the labor force as those with a rating of 60 percent or higher (58.1 and 26.1 percent, respectively). Among veterans who served during Gulf War era II, nearly 3 in 10 (712,000) reported having a service-connected disability. Of these, 70.3 percent were in the labor force in August 2012, compared with 87.0 percent of veterans from this period with no service-connected disability. Among Gulf War-era II veterans, the unemployment rate of those with a disability was 8.0 percent, not statistically different from those with no disability (12.5 percent). In August 2012, about 17 percent (532,000) of veterans who served during Gulf War era I reported a service-connected disability. Their labor force participation rate (72.6 percent) was lower than the rate for veterans from the era who did not have a disability (87.8 percent). Unemployment rates for Gulf War-era I veterans with (5.0 percent) and without (6.3 percent) service-connected disabilities were little different. Among the 1.3 million veterans with a service-connected disability from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam era, 21.1 percent were in the labor force in August 2012, compared with 32.2 percent of veterans from these periods who did not have a service-connected disability. The unemployment rate of veterans with a disability from these wartime periods was 6.1 percent, little different from their counterparts with no disability (5.5 percent). Veterans with a service-connected disability from other service periods had a labor force participation rate of 54.0 percent in August 2012, compared with 56.0 percent for veterans with no disability from these periods. Among veterans from other service periods, the unemployment rates of those with and without service-connected disabilities were similar--6.5 and 6.4 percent, respectively. Regardless of period of service, many veterans with a service-connected disability worked in the public sector. In August 2012, 34 percent of employed veterans with a disability worked in federal, state, or local government, compared with 19 percent of veterans with no disability and 14 percent of nonveterans. The federal government employed 19 percent of veterans with a disability, compared with 7 percent of veterans with no disability and 2 percent of employed nonveterans. (See table 7.) 

Reserve and National Guard Membership 

Nearly 30 percent of both Gulf War-era I and Gulf War-era II veterans were reported to be current or past members of the Reserve or National Guard. Among Gulf War-era II veterans, those who were current or past members of the Reserve or National Guard had an unemployment rate of 7.2 percent in August 2012, lower than the rate for those who had never been members (13.7 percent). Gulf War-era II veterans who were current or past members of the Reserve or National Guard had a higher labor force participation rate than those who had never been members (85.8 and 78.7 percent, respectively). For veterans of Gulf War-era I, labor force participation rates and unemployment rates were similar for members and nonmembers. (See table 8.) 

Tables of Data from the August 2012 BLS Report on Jobs for Veterans

• Employment Situation of Veterans Summary Table A. Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population 18 years and over by veteran status, period of service, and sex, 2011-2012 annual averages
• Employment Situation of Veterans Technical Note
• Table 1. Employment status of persons 18 years and over by veteran status, period of service, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 2012 annual averages
• Table 2A. Employment status of persons 18 years and over by veteran status, age, and period of service, 2012 annual averages
• Table 2B. Employment status of men 18 years and over by veteran status, age, and period of service, 2012 annual averages
• Table 2C. Employment status of women 18 years and over by veteran status, age, and period of service, 2012 annual averages
• Table 3. Employment status of persons 25 years and over by veteran status, and educational attainment, 2012 annual averages
• Table 4. Employed persons 18 years and over by occupation, sex, veteran status, and period of service, 2012 annual averages
• Table 5. Employed persons 18 years and over by industry, class of worker, sex, veteran status, and period of service, 2012 annual averages
• Table 6. Employment status of veterans 18 years and over by presence of service-connected disability, reported disability rating, period of service, and sex, August 2012, not seasonally adjusted
• Table 7. Employed persons 18 years and over by veteran status, presence of service-connected disability, period of service, and class of worker, August 2012, not seasonally adjusted
• Table 8. Employment status of Gulf War era veterans by Reserve or National Guard status, August 2012, not seasonally adjusted
• Table 9. Employment status of Gulf War-era II veterans 18 years and over by location of service, August 2012, not seasonally adjusted