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In 2022, the United States spent 877 billion U.S. dollars on its military, making it the country with the highest military spending worldwide, by a significant margin. China was ranked second, having spent nearly 300 billion U.S. dollars on their military.
As it seems, the U.S. will not lose its ranking anytime soon. The U.S. military spending is predicted to increase steadily until 2033, and estimates suggest that defense spending will exceed one trillion U.S. dollars by 2029.
The United States is also the world’s third largest army in terms of manpower, with about 1.4 million active military personnel in 2022. The United States military consists of different service branches, including the Army, Navy, Airforce, Marine Corps, and Space Force. The Army, which is the oldest branch of the U.S military, is also the service branch with the most personnel. In 2022, there were 461,657 active members in the U.S. Army. California is home to the most active duty members within the U.S., with 158,754 stationed personnel in 2021. As of 2022, the majority of U.S. active-duty military personnel around the world were stationed in the United States and its territories, with a total of 1.14 million. There were significantly less personnel deployed in other parts of the world, with 80,692 in East Asia and 65,769 in Europe.
Demographic breakdown
As of 2022, the vast majority of military personnel in active duty do not hold a college degree. As of 2022, 858,697 active members held a high school diploma, GED, or some college compared with 196,850 members holding a Bachelor’s degree. When observing the breakdown of race among the U.S. military, it appears relatively diverse compared to the population of the country as a whole. As of 2022, 897,340 active duty personnel were white, making up roughly 68.8 percent of the total number of personnel. The share of white active duty personnel is about 10 percent less than the share of white people making up the U.S. population. In the same year there were
.In the last few years there has been more diversity among enlisted women than men. As of 2019, 54 percent of active-duty enlisted women were white, whereas nearly 70 percent of enlisted men were white. Additionally, about 29 percent of enlisted women were black, compared to 17 percent of enlisted men who were black. While gender diversity within the military has increased, there remains stark differences between the occupational roles that men and women fill. In 2019,25 percent of all active-duty enlisted women held administrative positions, a significantly greater share than among enlisted men.
Public opinion
According to a 2023 survey, 60 percent of respondents in the U.S. said they had either a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in the military. Confidence levels have been steadily decreasing in the last years, with 82 percent reported in 2009. Despite steadily decreasing, the share of respondents reporting confidence in the military remains slightly higher than in 1975, when only 58 percent of Americans showed confidence in the military.
Although general confidence in the U.S. military appears to be decreasing, those who consider the U.S. as the primary global military power has been fluctuating in recent years. As of 2032, 63 percent believed the United States to be the number one military power in the world, whereas 34 percent of respondents said that the U.S. was only one of several global military powers. The year 2010 saw a peak in those who considered the U.S. as a superior military power, with 64 percent of respondents having claimed the United States to be the number one military power in the world.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Statista Research Department, Jul 3, 2024
Key insights
- U.S military aid to Ukraine
- 43.08bn USD
Detailed statistics
U.S. aid to Ukraine since Russian invasion 2022-2024, by type
- Defense expenditure per capita
- 2,220 USD
Detailed statistics
U.S. government - defense expenditures per capita 1995-2023
- Global ranking of the United States in defense spending
- 1
Detailed statistics
Countries with the highest military spending 2023
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Overview
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- Basic Statistic Countries with the highest military spending 2023
- Premium Statistic Largest armies in the world by active military personnel 2024
- Basic Statistic U.S. public confidence in the armed forces 1975-2023
- Basic Statistic U.S. adults on military power 2023
Overview
- Basic Statistic Countries with the highest military spending 2023
Countries with the highest military spending 2023
Countries with the highest military spending worldwide in 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Premium Statistic Largest armies in the world by active military personnel 2024
Largest armies in the world by active military personnel 2024
Largest armies in the world ranked by active military personnel as of January 2024 (in 1,000s)
- Basic Statistic U.S. public confidence in the armed forces 1975-2023
U.S. public confidence in the armed forces 1975-2023
Public confidence levels in the United States armed forces from 1975 to 2023
- Basic Statistic U.S. adults on military power 2023
U.S. adults on military power 2023
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Budget and costs
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- Basic Statistic U.S. defense outlays and forecast 2000-2034
- Basic Statistic U.S. defense outlays and forecast as a percentage of GDP 2000-2033
- Basic Statistic U.S. government - defense expenditures per capita 1995-2023
- Premium Statistic U.S. armed forces budget and outlays estimates 2024
- Premium Statistic U.S armed forces budget plan for 2024, by department and appropriation
- Premium Statistic U.S. Army and overseas operations budget FY 2001-2024
- Premium Statistic U.S. budget of the Navy and Marine Corps 2001-2024
- Premium Statistic U.S. Air Force budget FY 2007- FY 2024
Budget and costs
- Basic Statistic U.S. defense outlays and forecast 2000-2034
U.S. defense outlays and forecast 2000-2034
Defense outlays and forecast in the United States from 2000 to 2034 (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Basic Statistic U.S. defense outlays and forecast as a percentage of GDP 2000-2033
U.S. defense outlays and forecast as a percentage of GDP 2000-2033
Defense outlays and forecast of the United States from 2000 to 2033 (as a percentage of gross domestic product)
- Basic Statistic U.S. government - defense expenditures per capita 1995-2023
U.S. government - defense expenditures per capita 1995-2023
Per capita defense expenditure of the United States from 1995 to 2023 (in 2015 U.S. dollars)
- Premium Statistic U.S. armed forces budget and outlays estimates 2024
U.S. armed forces budget and outlays estimates 2024
Budget and outlays estimates of the U.S. armed forces for the fiscal year of 2024, by military department (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Premium Statistic U.S armed forces budget plan for 2024, by department and appropriation
U.S armed forces budget plan for 2024, by department and appropriation
Budget plan of the United States armed forces for the fiscal year of 2024, by military department and appropriation title (in million U.S. dollars)
- Premium Statistic U.S. Army and overseas operations budget FY 2001-2024
U.S. Army and overseas operations budget FY 2001-2024
Budget of the United States Army including overseas operations from fiscal year 2001 to 2024 (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Premium Statistic U.S. budget of the Navy and Marine Corps 2001-2024
U.S. budget of the Navy and Marine Corps 2001-2024
Budget of the Navy and the Marine Corps in the United States from fiscal year 2001 to 2024 (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Premium Statistic U.S. Air Force budget FY 2007- FY 2024
U.S. Air Force budget FY 2007- FY 2024
Budget of the United States Air Force from fiscal year 2007 to fiscal year 2024 (in billion U.S. dollars)
Inventory
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- Premium Statistic U.S. total deployable battle force ships of the Navy 2011-2024
- Premium Statistic U.S. total aircraft force (includes ICBMs) of the Air Force 2002-2022
- Premium Statistic U.S. Air Force total aircraft fleet FY 2020-2023 by type
- Premium Statistic U.S. Air Force total number of fighters and bombers 2022, by type
- Premium Statistic U.S. total aircraft inventory of the Navy FY 2022-2024, by type
Inventory
- Premium Statistic U.S. total deployable battle force ships of the Navy 2011-2024
U.S. total deployable battle force ships of the Navy 2011-2024
Total deployable battle force ships of the United States Navy for the fiscal years 2011 to 2024, by ship type
- Premium Statistic U.S. total aircraft force (includes ICBMs) of the Air Force 2002-2022
U.S. total aircraft force (includes ICBMs) of the Air Force 2002-2022
Total aircraft force (includes ICBMs) of the United States Air Force for fiscal years 2002 to 2022
- Premium Statistic U.S. Air Force total aircraft fleet FY 2020-2023 by type
U.S. Air Force total aircraft fleet FY 2020-2023 by type
Total aircraft force of the United States Air Force for the fiscal year 2020 to 2023, by type
- Premium Statistic U.S. Air Force total number of fighters and bombers 2022, by type
U.S. Air Force total number of fighters and bombers 2022, by type
Total number of fighters and bombers in the active inventory of the United States Air Force for fiscal year 2022, by type
- Premium Statistic U.S. total aircraft inventory of the Navy FY 2022-2024, by type
U.S. total aircraft inventory of the Navy FY 2022-2024, by type
Total aircraft inventory of the United States Navy from the fiscal year of 2022 to 2024, by type
Personnel
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- Basic Statistic U.S. Active duty Department of Defense personnel numbers 1995-2022
- Basic Statistic U.S. total Department of Defense Reserve personnel 1995-2022
- Basic Statistic U.S. military force numbers 2022, by service branch and reserve component
- Basic Statistic U.S. active duty Army personnel numbers 1995-2022
- Basic Statistic U.S. active duty Navy personnel from 1995-2022
- Basic Statistic U.S. active duty Air Force personnel 1995-2022
- Basic Statistic U.S. number of active duty Armed Forces personnel 2022, by age group
- Basic Statistic U.S. education level of active duty Armed Forces personnel 2022
- Premium Statistic U.S. total military personnel Navy FY 2022-2024, by rank
- Premium Statistic U.S. total military personnel Air Force FY 2022-2024, by rank
- Premium Statistic U.S. total military personnel Army FY 2022-2024, by rank
- Premium Statistic U.S. basic monthly pay for officers and enlisted members of the armed forces 2024
Personnel
- Basic Statistic U.S. Active duty Department of Defense personnel numbers 1995-2022
U.S. Active duty Department of Defense personnel numbers 1995-2022
Total active duty United States Department of Defense personnel numbers from 1995 to 2022
- Basic Statistic U.S. total Department of Defense Reserve personnel 1995-2022
U.S. total Department of Defense Reserve personnel 1995-2022
Total United States Department of Defense Selected Reserve personnel numbers from 1995 to 2022
- Basic Statistic U.S. military force numbers 2022, by service branch and reserve component
U.S. military force numbers 2022, by service branch and reserve component
Active and reserve United States military force personnel in 2022, by service branch and reserve component
- Basic Statistic U.S. active duty Army personnel numbers 1995-2022
U.S. active duty Army personnel numbers 1995-2022
Active Duty United States Army personnel from 1995 to 2022
- Basic Statistic U.S. active duty Navy personnel from 1995-2022
U.S. active duty Navy personnel from 1995-2022
Active Duty United States Navy personnel from 1995 to 2022
- Basic Statistic U.S. active duty Air Force personnel 1995-2022
U.S. active duty Air Force personnel 1995-2022
Active Duty United States Air Force personnel from 1995 to 2022
- Basic Statistic U.S. number of active duty Armed Forces personnel 2022, by age group
U.S. number of active duty Armed Forces personnel 2022, by age group
Number of active duty United States Armed Forces personnel in 2022, by age group
- Basic Statistic U.S. education level of active duty Armed Forces personnel 2022
U.S. education level of active duty Armed Forces personnel 2022
Education level of active duty United States Armed Forces personnel in 2022
- Premium Statistic U.S. total military personnel Navy FY 2022-2024, by rank
U.S. total military personnel Navy FY 2022-2024, by rank
Total military personnel of the United States Navy from the fiscal year of 2022 to 2024, by rank
- Premium Statistic U.S. total military personnel Air Force FY 2022-2024, by rank
U.S. total military personnel Air Force FY 2022-2024, by rank
Total military personnel of the United States Air Force for the fiscal years 2022 to 2024, by rank
- Premium Statistic U.S. total military personnel Army FY 2022-2024, by rank
U.S. total military personnel Army FY 2022-2024, by rank
Total military personnel of the United States Army for fiscal years 2022 to 2024, by rank
- Premium Statistic U.S. basic monthly pay for officers and enlisted members of the armed forces 2024
U.S. basic monthly pay for officers and enlisted members of the armed forces 2024
Basic monthly pay for officers and enlisted members of the United States armed forces in 2024, by years of service (in U.S. dollars)
Diversity
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- Basic Statistic U.S. gender distribution of DoD Officers 2022, by service branch
- Basic Statistic U.S. military active duty officers 2022, by gender and service branch
- Basic Statistic U.S. occupational roles of women and men in the military 2019
- Premium Statistic U.S. number of DoD active duty personnel 2022, by race
- Basic Statistic U.S. distribution of race and ethnicity among the military 2019
Diversity
- Basic Statistic U.S. gender distribution of DoD Officers 2022, by service branch
U.S. gender distribution of DoD Officers 2022, by service branch
Gender distribution of active duty officers in the United States Department of Defense in 2022, by service branch
- Basic Statistic U.S. military active duty officers 2022, by gender and service branch
U.S. military active duty officers 2022, by gender and service branch
Distribution of commissioned active duty officers in the United States military in 2022, by gender and service branch
- Basic Statistic U.S. occupational roles of women and men in the military 2019
U.S. occupational roles of women and men in the military 2019
Occupational roles of women and men in the United States military in 2019
- Premium Statistic U.S. number of DoD active duty personnel 2022, by race
U.S. number of DoD active duty personnel 2022, by race
Number of United States Department of Defense active duty personnel in 2022, by race
- Basic Statistic U.S. distribution of race and ethnicity among the military 2019
U.S. distribution of race and ethnicity among the military 2019
Distribution of active-duty enlisted women and men in the United States military in 2019, by race and ethnicity
Stationing and combat
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- Basic Statistic U.S. stationing of active duty Armed Forces personnel 2022, by state
- Basic Statistic Deployment of U.S. troops in selected world regions 2023
- Basic Statistic Fallen American soldiers in Iraq up to 2020
- Basic Statistic Soldiers killed in action in Afghanistan 2001-2021
- Basic Statistic Number of United States military fatalities in major wars 1775-2024
Stationing and combat
- Basic Statistic U.S. stationing of active duty Armed Forces personnel 2022, by state
U.S. stationing of active duty Armed Forces personnel 2022, by state
Geographic stationing of active duty United States Armed Forces personnel in 2022, by U.S. state
- Basic Statistic Deployment of U.S. troops in selected world regions 2023
Deployment of U.S. troops in selected world regions 2023
Deployment of U.S. active-duty military & civilian personnel around the world as of September 2023, by selected regions
- Basic Statistic Fallen American soldiers in Iraq up to 2020
Fallen American soldiers in Iraq up to 2020
Number of U.S. soldiers killed in the Iraq war from 2003 to 2020
- Basic Statistic Soldiers killed in action in Afghanistan 2001-2021
Soldiers killed in action in Afghanistan 2001-2021
Number of fatalities among Western coalition soldiers involved in the execution of Operation Enduring Freedom from 2001 to 2021
- Basic Statistic Number of United States military fatalities in major wars 1775-2024
Number of United States military fatalities in major wars 1775-2024
Number of military fatalities in all major wars involving the United States from 1775 to 2024