Now available: ZIF World Map Peace Operations 2025/2026
Whether fresh off the press or for digital use: our ZIF world map of peacekeeping missions 2025/2026 is here!
Every year, we compile key information on peacekeeping missions and crisis management missions carried out by the UN, EU, OSCE and other organisations, as well as on the respective German participation of the Bundeswehr, police and civilian experts.
What has changed? Developments and outlook
The total personnel strength of the missions, at around 118,000, has remained virtually unchanged compared to the previous year. The number of military personnel has fallen (from 104,000 to 103,000), while the number of police officers (from 8,500 to 9,700) and civilian personnel (from 5,750 to 5,850) has risen. But the field continues to evolve. The deployment of an international force in Gaza is currently under discussion. Unfortunately, the significantly increased deployment to combat criminal gangs in Haiti exists only on paper so far. In addition, individual UN and EU missions are likely to be closed in the coming months. Fundamentally, the UN is also under enormous budgetary and cost-cutting pressure. Its announcement that it will soon reduce the personnel of its peacekeeping missions by around 25 per cent due to financial constraints entails a significant reduction in the capabilities of multilateral missions. These cuts will be felt worldwide.
Civilian experts on missions
German contributions increased overall. Although police participation declined slightly, the number of civilian and military personnel in UN and EU missions increased overall. The number of German civilian experts seconded through us on behalf of the Federal Government has fallen slightly in 2025 due to the provisional budget management. Our approximately 155 seconded experts work in 39 countries: in peace and humanitarian missions, in headquarters and in institutions of international organisations. We prepare mission knowledge from there – whether regionally (e.g. Ukraine, the Middle East and the Balkans) or for new capability requirements in the area of hybrid threats and cyber security. The ZIF also deals with issues of impact and measurability. This ensures that missions are safer, more effective and fit for the future.
In a world of increasing conflict and fragmentation, international crisis management is crucial – also for safeguarding our national interests and values. By hosting the Peacekeeping Ministerial in May 2025, Germany has reaffirmed its commitment to a secure, just and peaceful world.
How to order printed maps
Our world map is available in German (as pictured) and English versions – both digitally and as a printed poster. Orders can be placed at ppi@zif-berlin.org.