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 140 German non-governmental organisations are approved as implementing organisations for the weltwärts programme. Of those, 120 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 2.500 volunteers take part in weltwärts and some 50.000 volunteers have gone on assignment abroad since 2008. Around 67 percent of the participants are women and the average age across all volunteers is 19.5. Latin America is the region with the highest number of assignments.

To the sending organisations

South-North component

Around 140 German non-governmental organisations are approved as implementing organisations for the weltwärts programme. Of those, about 20 host international volunteers in Germany as part of the South-North component of the volunteer service.

Since the end of 2013, about 5.000 volunteers from countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Oceania have completed voluntary service in Germany. Approximately 56 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 cohort

From 2008 to 2010, the weltwärts volunteer service gradually increased in size, with figures hovering around the 3,300 to 3,700 mark. In 2020 and 2021, the coronavirus pandemic meant that only very few volunteers were able to embark on their service. In 2022 and 2023, sending figures once again recovered. In 2024, 2.380 young people completed a volunteer service in countries of the Global South.

Findings of the 2023 volunteer survey

Number of volunteers by federal state, 2024

The majority of volunteers came from North Rhine-Westphalia, followed by Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.

Countries and regions 2024

Generally speaking, a volunteer service with weltwärts can be undertaken in countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Oceania, provided the security situation in the destination allows for it. In 2024, the majority of volunteers worked in Latin America (45%), followed by Africa (36%) and Asia (18%). In total, around one per cent of volunteers travelled to Eastern Europe and Oceania.

Main countries of assignment in 2024

The most popular countries of assignment in 2024 were Peru, followed by India and Ecuador. India consistently ranks among the top three countries overall.

Fields of work among North-South volunteers

Volunteers predominantly worked in education (36%) and child and youth support (around 32%). This includes projects such as supervising homework activities among children and young people in the care system, working as teaching assistants in rural schools and supporting mobile schools for street children. But volunteers also engage in environmental protection work or provide leisure opportunities such as sports, art and cultural activities.

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

Number of volunteers by cohort

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. The figures only nosedived in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. In 2024, 612 volunteers completed a weltwärts service in Germany as part of the South-North component.

Findings of the 2023 weltwärts programme volunteer survey (South-North)

Main countries of departure in 2024

In 2024, most of the volunteers in Germany came from Peru. Bolivia follows in second place and South Africa in third. The South American countries Peru and Bolivia rank consistently among the main countries of departure 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.