America’s veteran population has changed a lot in the past 20 years, as the Greatest Generation fades and the armed forces shrink.

Here are five statistics about vets compiled by USA Facts, a nonprofit organization founded by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.

1. Number of veterans is dropping

In 2000, there were more than 26 million military veterans living in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. There are now fewer than 18 million. Old veterans are dying, and the military is smaller than it was decades ago, which means there are fewer young service members. Almost half of living veterans are 65 or older.

2. Largest living contingent served during Vietnam War

Vietnam vets make up almost 36% of the living veteran population. World War II-era servicemen make up just 2.7% of the living veteran population, with Korean War vets at 7.3%.

There’s a near-even split between veterans who served in the 1990s and those serving post-9/11, at about 21% each.

3. More women veterans than ever

Women still make up a small fraction of the armed forces. About 9% of living veterans are female. That’s double the number from 2000.

4. Almost a third of veterans are disabled

About 29% of veterans are disabled. That’s well above the overall population disability rate of 15%. The federal government in 2018 spent nearly $200 billion on the Department of Veterans Affairs, which funds veterans’ compensation, pension benefits and medical care. That’s about 5% of the federal budget.

5. Vets earn more than the average population

The veteran poverty rate is about 7%, compared with 12% for the average population. Veterans make a median income of $41,555, compared with $31,476 for adult civilians. The veteran unemployment rate was 4% in 2018, about the same as the overall population.

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