Ethnic minority veterans are twice as likely to be unemployed as their white peers, a new University of Warwick study has found.

Commissioned by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA), the research highlights significant disparities in employment, housing, and social integration.

As the number of ethnic minority veterans rises, providing tailored support for all veterans is essential to ensure a smooth transition to civilian life. This study, led by Gaby Atfield, Senior Research Fellow at Warwick’s Institute for Employment Research, highlights key areas where targeted interventions are needed to improve veterans' post-service experiences.

Gaby Atfield, project lead at The University of Warwick, said: “As the Armed Forces become more diverse, so does the veteran population. This project was undertaken to help improve understanding of the needs and experiences of veterans from minority ethnic backgrounds, by enabling them to make their experiences, needs and aspirations known to policy makers. It will help in ensuring that veterans receive the support that they need to live in- and contribute to- society.”

Key Findings:

• Employment Disparities: Ethnic minority veterans are twice as likely as their white peers to be unemployed and are more likely to be in lower-skilled jobs. While many veterans experience stereotypes in the workplace, additionally, around a fifth of ethnic minority veterans report racism related to employment.
• Housing Instability: Younger veterans and those with shorter service periods struggle with affordability and stability. Some ethnic minority veterans also feel more restricted in where they choose to live.
• Social Integration Challenges: While many veterans have positive community relationships, 22% report feelings of loneliness, and cultural stereotypes continue to shape public perceptions. Adjusting from a close-knit military community to civilian life proves difficult for some.
• Underutilised Mental Health Support: Stigma remains a significant barrier within some ethnic minority communities, preventing many veterans from accessing available mental health services.

• Lack of Financial Guidance: Nearly half of veterans surveyed had received no financial advice before leaving the Armed Forces, highlighting a critical gap in transition support.

The study recommends personalised employment support to address workplace disparities, alongside proactive mental health interventions to reduce stigma and improve accessibility. It also highlights the need for enhanced financial planning resources to better prepare veterans before they leave the military. Additionally, the study suggests developing digital platforms to foster diverse veteran communities and provide greater peer support.

By shedding light on these disparities, this research aims to drive policy change and ensure that support services meet the needs of all veterans, regardless of background.

To download the full report, please visit: IER research project - UK veterans from ethnic minority backgrounds

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Stevie Connoll – Media & Communications Officer
stevie.connoll@warwick.ac.uk / +44 (0)7824 540791