About weltwärts

weltwärts
informs

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

The bar chart shows the number of departures from 2009-2021 divided into men and women. Overall, there are more female volunteers.

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
The pie chart contains all German states. Half of the volunteers come from NRW, Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. Only a few volunteers from the federal states: Saarland, Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, Thuringia or Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

Number of volunteers by federal state, 2023

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

The pie chart shows in which regions of the world North-South volunteers do their voluntary service. The majority of them are engaged in Africa and Latin America.

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.

The pie chart lists the ten most popular countries of North-South volunteers in 2021. Most volunteers were in Ghana, around 146.

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.

The pie chart shows the thematic areas in which North-South volunteers are most often involved. Almost three quarters of all volunteers are involved in the areas of education and support for children and young people.

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

The bar chart shows the development of volunteer numbers in the South-North component by years of entry. Male and female volunteers are roughly in balance.

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)
The bar chart shows the ten countries from which most South-North volunteers have entered Germany in 2021. Most came from Bolivia, India and Colombia.

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.

Print page
Back to top