Fast Facts

The Peace Corps partners with communities abroad to develop sustainable solutions for the world’s most pressing challenges.
2020 Peace Corps Fact Sheet
View 2020 factsheet [PDF]

Data current as of September 30, 2019

History

  • Peace Corps officially established: March 1, 1961
  • Americans who have served: More than 240,000
  • Host countries served to date: 142

Today

Due to COVID-19, all Volunteers returned to the United States in March 2020. This section will be updated once we return to full operations.

  • Current number of countries served: 61
  • Current number of Volunteers and trainees: 7,334
  • Gender: 65% female, 35% male
  • Marital status: 99% single, 1% married
  • Minorities: 34% of Volunteers (excludes non-responders)
  • Average age: 26
  • Volunteers over age 50: 3.2%

Countries where Volunteers serve

Percentage of Volunteers serving in 2019 by region
Percentage of Volunteers serving in 2019 by region -- may not total 100% due to rounding.
  • Africa: 45%
  • Central and South America: 19%
  • Eastern Europe and Central Asia: 13%
  • Asia: 12%
  • Caribbean: 5%
  • Pacific Islands: 4%
  • North Africa and Middle East: 4%

Sectors where Volunteers serve

Percentage of Volunteers serving in 2019 by sector
Percentage of Volunteers serving in 2019 by sector -- may not total 100% due to rounding.
  • Education: 42%
  • Health: 20%
  • Youth in Development: 12%
  • Agriculture: 9%
  • Community Economic Development: 8%
  • Environment: 7%
  • Peace Corps Response: 2%