Information for the media

Intro

The most important facts and figures relating to the weltwärts programme are presented on this page. If you are writing about the North-South or South-North component of the weltwärts volunteer service, you will find basic information and figures here.

General information

North-South component

Around 171 German non-governmental organisations are approved as implementing organisations for the weltwärts programme. Of those, 159 are currently active sending organisations in the North-South component. Information about the organisations can be found on their profile pages.

Young people’s interest in development volunteer service is high. Every year, approximately 3,500 volunteers take part in weltwärts and some 44,500 volunteers have gone on assignment abroad since 2008. Around 66 percent of the participants are women and the average age across all volunteers is 19.5.

To the sending organisations

South-North component

Around 171 German non-governmental organisations are approved as implementing organisations for the weltwärts programme. Of those, about 100 host international volunteers in Germany as part of the South-North component of the volunteer service.

Since the end of 2013, about 4,000 volunteers from countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Oceania have completed voluntary service in Germany. Approximately 55 percent of the volunteers are female and the average age is 23.2.

To the host organisations

Facts and figures concerning the North-South component of the volunteer service

Number of volunteers by year

The volunteer service grew steadily from 2008 to 2010, before levelling off at between 3,300 and 3,700 volunteers. Only a small number of volunteers were able to travel in 2020 and 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, sending figures once again recovered. In 2023, 2,430 young people completed a volunteer service.

Findings of the 2022 volunteer survey

Number of volunteers by federal state, 2023

The greatest number of volunteers came from North Rhine-Westphalia, followed by Baden-Württemberg and Lower Saxony.

Countries and regions 2023

In principle, it is possible to complete a volunteer service in countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Oceania, provided they are sufficiently safe. In 2023, the majority of volunteers worked in Latin America (47.9%), followed by Africa (33.9%) and Asia (16.6%). Less than two per cent of volunteers travelled to Eastern Europe and Oceania. Overall, the distribution across the regions is roughly the same.

Most popular countries 2023

The most popular countries of assignment in 2023 were Ecuador, Ghana and India. India consistently ranks amongst the top three countries overall.

Types of assignment

Volunteers predominantly worked in education (39%) and child and youth support (around 33%). Their duties include, e.g., homework supervision for children and adolescents who live in homes, working as classroom assistants in rural schools, or supporting mobile schools for street children. However, the volunteers also offer leisure pastimes such as sports, art or cultural activities, which allows disadvantaged children and adolescents in particular to participate actively in social settings.

Facts and figures concerning the South-North component of the volunteer service

Number of incoming volunteers by year

The first volunteers to come to Germany arrived at the end of 2013. Since then, the number of volunteers from the Global South has increased drastically. Only in the years 2020 and 2021 was there a drop in numbers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, 685 volunteers completed a volunteer service in Germany as part of the South-North component.

Findings of the 2022 weltwärts programme volunteer survey (South-North)

Main countries of origin 2023

The greatest number of volunteers who wanted to work in Germany in 2023 came from Bolivia, followed by Tanzania and Mexico. Bolivia continually provides some of the highest volunteer numbers in the South-North component.

Fields of work

Volunteers in the South-North component work in non-profit establishments in Germany, providing support in a number of fields without impacting on the labour market. These establishments can be in areas such as culture, welfare, education, environment/conservation, sports and, in particular, development education. Most of the volunteer assignments are in the welfare segment. The South-North component of the volunteer service is run in cooperation with the Federal Volunteer Service (BFD). This means that the weltwärts volunteers work in places of assignment that have been approved for the BFD.