Statistics of missionaries overseas

According to the statistics of the Korean Catholic Foreign Missionary Education Association, 647 Korean missionaries were sent to 81 countries, as of October, 2007. Among them, 42 are secular priests, and 477 are women religious. The number of the missionaries increased 11-14% annually since 2005.

By continent, there are 272 missionaries (40.3%) in Asia; 167 (24.8%) in America, 146 (24.8%) in Europe and 66 (9.8%) in Africa. By nation, 82 missionaries are working in China, 54 in USA, 48 in Italy, 40 in Philippines and 36 in Japan. Among others, the Korean Missionary Society sent 19 missionaries in Asia and 9 in Oceania, ranking the first in number, followed by 13 of Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Service in Africa, 17 of Focolare in Europe and 14 of Sisters of the Korean Martyrs in America. They are mostly serving in local parishes or mission stations, areas of social service, education and medical care.