Explore the Peace Corps
Peacecorps.gov hosts the most up-to-date and in-depth information
Peace Corps volunteers serve in one of 6 sectors–the same sectors as offered by the Peace Corps Prep Program–agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health, and youth in development. See the Fast Facts below to get an overview of where volunteers lend their skills and knowledge.
Fast Facts
History
Peace Corps officially established:
March 1, 1961
Americans who have served:
Nearly 220,000
Host countries served to date:
140
Volunteers
Current number of Volunteers and Trainees:
6,818
Gender:
63% female, 37% male
Marital Status:
94% single, 6% married
Minorities:
25% of Volunteers*
Average Age:
28
Volunteers over age 50:
7%
Countries and Projects
Current number of countries served:
64 countries
Volunteers by Work Area
Education: 38%
Health: 24%
Environment: 12%
Community Economic Development: 9%
Youth in Development: 9%
Agriculture: 5%
Peace Corps Response: 3%
Where Volunteers Serve
Africa: 45%
Latin America: 23%
Eastern Europe/Central Asia: 10%
Asia: 12%
The Caribbean: 4%
North Africa/Middle East: 3%
Pacific Islands: 3%
Fast Facts source: http://www.peacecorps.gov/about/fastfacts/
* Volunteer percentage excludes non-responders.
Figures are based on data as of September 30, 2014.