Key Highlights
- There are approximately 2.7 million female veterans in the United States.
- Female veterans constitute about 11% of the total veteran population.
- About 18% of women veterans are employed full-time.
- Female veterans are more likely to experience homelessness, with 14% of homeless veterans being women.
- Approximately 70% of female veterans are married or living with a partner.
- Female veterans are more likely than male veterans to experience military sexual trauma (MST), with about 1 in 4 women reporting MST.
- Women veterans have higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to non-military women.
- The unemployment rate for female veterans was approximately 8.1% as of 2021.
- Female veterans are more likely to have a college degree than their male counterparts.
- About 46% of female veterans are below the age of 45.
- Female veterans are less likely to own a home compared to male veterans, with homeownership rate at around 61%.
- Approximately 22% of female veterans report having a disability.
- Female veterans experience higher rates of depression (around 31%) compared to male veterans.
With over 2.7 million women serving as veterans in the United States, their unique challenges—from higher rates of homelessness and PTSD to experiences of military sexual trauma—highlight the urgent need to recognize and address the complex realities faced by female veterans today.
Demographic Characteristics
- Female veterans constitute about 11% of the total veteran population.
Demographic Characteristics Interpretation
With women now making up roughly one in nine veterans, it's clear that female veterans are asserting their vital role in American military history—no longer just an 11%, but an integral part of the story.
Demographic Characteristics and Age
- There are approximately 2.7 million female veterans in the United States.
- Female veterans are more likely than male veterans to experience military sexual trauma (MST), with about 1 in 4 women reporting MST.
- About 46% of female veterans are below the age of 45.
- Approximately 22% of female veterans report having a disability.
- Female veterans account for about 20% of all service-connected disability compensation recipients.
- The rate of veteran women participating in VA health care services has increased by 54% over the past decade.
- Female veterans are more likely to report lacking a usual source of health care (about 16%) than male veterans.
- Approximately 28% of women veterans report experiencing intimate partner violence.
- The median age of female veterans is 48 years.
- Female veterans are more likely to be single or divorced (about 54%) compared to male veterans.
- Female veterans have a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes than non-veteran women.
- Approximately 18% of female veterans live below the federal poverty level.
- About 22% of female veterans are military spouses.
- Female veterans are more likely to have experienced military sexual trauma than their male counterparts (about 25%).
- About 10% of female veterans are incarcerated at some point.
- Female veterans are more likely to experience intimate partner violence than civilian women.
- Approximately 55% of female veterans report having a regular source of care.
Demographic Characteristics and Age Interpretation
With nearly 2.7 million women who served, female veterans—many still navigating the scars of MST, health disparities, and social vulnerabilities—highlight the urgent need for tailored support systems that honor both their service and complex post-military journeys.
Employment and Education
- About 18% of women veterans are employed full-time.
- The unemployment rate for female veterans was approximately 8.1% as of 2021.
- Female veterans are more likely to have a college degree than their male counterparts.
- Female veterans’ employment rate increased by 5% from 2011 to 2021.
- Female veterans’ participation in GI Bill education benefits has increased by 30% in the last decade.
Employment and Education Interpretation
Despite their impressive educational achievements and rising employment rates, female veterans still face notable employment gaps, highlighting that even the most resilient warriors need robust support to fully transition from service to civilian success.
Housing and Living Situations
- Female veterans are more likely to experience homelessness, with 14% of homeless veterans being women.
- Approximately 70% of female veterans are married or living with a partner.
- Female veterans are less likely to own a home compared to male veterans, with homeownership rate at around 61%.
- Female veterans are 3 times more likely to experience homelessness than non-veteran women.
- Female veterans are more likely to report living in rural areas (about 25%) compared to male veterans.
- Female veterans have shown an increase in enrollment in VA home and community-based care programs by 45% over the past five years.
Housing and Living Situations Interpretation
Despite their foundational role in service and sacrifice, female veterans face disproportionate housing instability and rural barriers, highlighting a critical need for targeted support as their engagement with VA care steadily increases.
Mental Health and Well-being
- Women veterans have higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to non-military women.
- Female veterans experience higher rates of depression (around 31%) compared to male veterans.
- About 10% of female veterans are enrolled in VA mental health services.
- About 17% of female veterans report having experienced repeated military sexual trauma.
- Around 12% of female veterans report a history of substance use disorder.
- The suicide rate among female veterans is approximately 21.5 per 100,000.
- Nearly 80% of female veterans report being satisfied with their military service.
- In 2019, female veterans made up approximately 13% of all new VA mental health outpatient visits.
- 60% of female veterans are satisfied with the healthcare services provided by the VA.
- About 35% of female veterans report experiencing symptoms of depression.
Mental Health and Well-being Interpretation
Despite a strong sense of service and high satisfaction with VA care, female veterans face disproportionately high rates of PTSD, depression, and trauma, highlighting a critical need for targeted mental health support beyond the battlefield.
Military Service and Veterans Benefits
- Female veterans have a higher prevalence of obesity than non-veteran women (about 40%).
Military Service and Veterans Benefits Interpretation
The 40% obesity rate among female veterans underscores a pressing need for tailored health initiatives that address the unique challenges faced by women who have served, highlighting that service doesn't always translate into long-term wellness.
Sources & References
- Reference 1VAResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 2BLSResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 3RESEARCHResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 4NCBIResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 5NCESResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 6CENSUSResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 7CDCResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 8RANDResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 9NEWSResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 10BJSResearch Publication(2024)Visit source