Au Pair Agency Survey 2025

Host Family Demand

A majority of agencies reported a decrease in demand from Host Families compared to the previous year. Most responses indicated either a slight or significant drop. A smaller number of agencies stated that the level of demand had remained about the same. No agencies reported a significant increase.
We have noticed regional differences in Host Family demand. In Europe, most agencies reported that the level of demand had remained about the same, while others observed a slight or significant decrease. Asia and Africa showed a mixed situation, with some agencies experiencing stable or increased interest and others reporting a decline. In South America, most agencies observed a drop in demand, and none reported an increase. In North America, responses indicated a decline, with no agencies reporting stable or growing interest from Host Families. In Oceania, agencies reported a slight decrease in demand from Host Families compared to the previous year. These results suggest that local market conditions tend to shape demand differently across regions.

Au Pair Numbers

The number of Au Pair applicants also varies by region. In Europe, most agencies reported that application levels were either about the same or slightly lower compared to previous periods. A few noted a significant decrease, and one agency reported a clear increase. In Asia, the majority of agencies observed a drop in applicant numbers, although one indicated stable levels. Africa showed mixed results: while several agencies reported slightly fewer applicants, some observed a slight increase. In South America, most agencies indicated a decline in applications, with none reporting growth. In North America, responses pointed to a decrease in applicant numbers. In Oceania, the number of Au Pair applicants remained relatively stable, with no significant increase or drop observed. These regional differences may be influenced by factors such as local travel policies, visa availability, and awareness of the program. 

Overall, approximately 58% of agencies worldwide reported receiving fewer Au Pair applications than before, while 32% said the numbers have remained about the same, and around 10% observed a slight or significant increase.

Challenges reported

When asked about current challenges, most agencies (55%) said they are having trouble finding enough qualified Au Pair applicants. About 32% mentioned visa delays or rejections as a problem. Some agencies (24%) reported getting fewer serious inquiries from Host Families, and 18% said that families are more concerned about costs. A few also pointed out other issues, such as long waits for visa appointments, families trying to arrange placements without agencies, or Au Pairs not following through after applying. Only 10% of agencies said they are not facing any major challenges at the moment. Overall, the main difficulties seem to be related to finding suitable candidates, managing visa processes, and adjusting to changes in how families join the program.

Business Activity and Outlook

Across all survey responses, 42% of agencies described their current business activity as worse than in previous years, while 34% said it is about the same. Only 23% reported improvement, with 5% noting a strong increase. Regionally, Europe showed the widest range, with agencies reporting everything from “much worse” to “slightly better,” though most leaned toward stable or slightly reduced activity. Asia had more positive responses, with a number of agencies indicating improvement. In Africa, responses were mixed, including some who rated their activity as much better or about the same, and others who reported a decline. Agencies in South America and North America mostly indicated declining business conditions, while Oceania responses suggested stable or slightly reduced activity.

Looking ahead, 39.5% of agencies described their expectations for the next 12 months as neutral, while 24% were somewhat optimistic and 18% were somewhat pessimistic. A small number of respondents expressed either strong optimism (8%) or serious concern (11%). In Europe, opinions were largely neutral, with only some agencies being overall optimistic and others slightly concerned. In Asia, a few agencies reported a positive outlook, and none expressed strong pessimism. Africa showed a range of views from neutral to somewhat pessimistic. In South America, opinions were mostly neutral or somewhat optimistic, while responses from Oceania also reflected a balanced view. No agencies from North America reported an optimistic outlook. These results indicate that while business activity has slowed in many regions, most agencies are maintaining a steady and observant approach toward the future. 

Conclusion

AuPair.com's goal with this survey was to provide partner agencies with insights into current global trends in the Au Pair industry and to better understand the challenges you are experiencing. By sharing this information, we would like to help you adapt to changes in the market and make more informed decisions.

We appreciate your participation and input. This survey is a part of our ongoing effort to strengthen the Au Pair community, and we plan to keep you updated on key trends in the future as well.

Thank you for your cooperation!