Discover the Peace Corps
A page within Peace Corps Prep
The Peace Corps partners with communities abroad to develop sustainable solutions for the world's most pressing challenges by sharing America's most precious resource—its people.
Peace Corps Volunteers carry out people-to- people public service and citizen diplomacy at the grassroots level. Drawn from all corners of the United States, Volunteers work to address challenges in agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health, and youth development across the globe.
Volunteers return home as global citizens with unique cross-cultural perspectives—as well as leadership, language, teaching, and community development skills that provide a competitive edge in today's global economy.
Today, nearly six decades after its founding by President John F. Kennedy, the Peace Corps remains committed to promoting world peace and friendship by pursuing three goals:
- To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
- To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
- To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
HISTORY
Peace Cops officially established:
March 1, 1961
Americans who have served:
More than 240,000
Host countries served to date: 143
TODAY
Current number of countries served:
63 countries
Volunteers and trainees: over 7,350
Gender: 58% female, 42% male
Marital status: 98% single, 2% married
Minorities: 27% of Volunteers
Average age: 28
Volunteers over age 50: 7% of Volunteers
BUDGET
Fiscal Year 2023: $532.71 million
CONTACT
Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corps Headquarters
1111 20th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20526
855.855.1961 toll–free
202.692.2000 main
peacecorps.gov
PEACE CORPS SERVICE
Peace Corps Volunteers live and work alongside the people they serve, collaborating with local governments, schools, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to create sustainable, community-based projects that address local development priorities across six sectors. In addition to Peace Corps' two-year Volunteer program, Peace Corps Response offers opportunities for experienced professionals to undertake short-term, high-impact service assignments overseas.
VOLUNTEERS
- Serve for two years following three months of in-country training.
- Receive a living allowance to live similarly to the people in their community.
- Receive medical and dental care during service
- Receive transportation to and from country of service
- Must be U.S. citizens
- While there is no upper age limit, must be at least 18 years old
Volunteers' health, safety, and security are the Peace Corps' highest priorities. The Peace Corps is committed to providing Volunteers with the training, guidance, and support they need to stay healthy, safe, and productive throughout their service.
Volunteers by Work Area
Education: 41%
Health: 20%
Youth in Development: 11%
Environment: 8%
Community Economic Development: 8%
Agriculture: 8%
Peace Corps Response: 4%
Where Volunteers Serve
Africa: 46%
Latin America: 18%
Eastern Europe/Central Asia: 13%
Asia: 11%
Pacific Islands: 5%
Caribbean: 4%
North Africa/Middle East: 3%
