Peace Corps

Mission:

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps to promote world peace and friendship.
The Peace Corps' mission has three simple goals:

1. Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
3. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

Fast Facts

History

Peace Corps officially established:

March 1, 1961

Total number of Volunteers and trainees to date:

210,000+

Total number of countries served:

139

Volunteers

Current number of Volunteers and Trainees:

8,073

Gender:

62% female, 38% male

Marital Status:

93% single, 7% married

Minorities:

22% of Volunteers

Average Age:

28

Volunteers over age 50:

7%

Countries and Projects

Current number of countries served:

76 countries

Volunteers by Work Area

• Education: 43%
• Health: 21%
• Community Economic Development: 12%
• Environment: 12%
• Youth in Development: 6%
• Agriculture: 4%
• Other: 2%

Where Volunteers Serve

• Africa: 43%
• Latin America: 21%
• Eastern Europe/Central Asia: 15%
• Asia: 10%
• The Caribbean: 4%
• North Africa/Middle East: 4%
• Pacific Islands: 3%

To learn more about the Peace Corps history


For more information on the Peace Corps go to:
www.peacecorps.gov