New research shows that India, Peru and Tanzania were last year's most popular countries for structured gap year placements.

The research, from Year Out Group, also revealed several new entries into the top 10 this year, including Kenya and Thailand in joint sixth place followed by Australia in 10th place.

In addition, China, the world's most populated country, has risen in popularity from ninth to fourth spot in the last 12 months.

Other destinations that continue to be popular include South Africa, Canada, Ghana, Costa Rica and the UK.

UK-based Year Out Group is the not-for-profit association of 37 gap year providers.

Richard Oliver, chief executive of Year Out Group, says: "Our aim at Year Out Group is to highlight the broad range of well-structured gap year placements that are available worldwide. This year the fascinating and varied destinations of India, Peru and Tanzania have topped our members' poll.

"The number of individuals embarking on volunteering projects, expeditions, structured work placements, courses and cultural exchanges is on the increase. Year Out Group's strict Code of Practice and operating guidelines ensure that all necessary criteria are met, and that people's experiences are hugely beneficial, both to the local communities and to the individuals themselves.

"A well-organised gap year project, in the UK or overseas, also gives participants a welcome boost to their CV and is well-received by employers."

Listed below are some of the programmes available from Year Out Group member companies in the most popular destinations as revealed in the research:

India
The Rajasthan Volunteer Programme run by Real Gap Experience enables participants of all ages to live and work in the Rajasthan Desert and help with local childcare or education programmes. Four and eight week courses are available, prices from £949 pp*. Contact Real Gap Experience on 01892 516164, www.realgap.co.uk or www.gapyearforgrownups.co.uk

Peru
Madventurer offers a combination of voluntary work on community programmes with adventurous overland expeditions. Care projects are available in one of Peru’s most famous cities - Cusco - which is sadly home to over 6,000 street children with little or no access to food, healthcare or education. Madventurer makes a valuable contribution to the lives of some of Cusco's most vulnerable children, giving them the time and attention that they deserve. Prices from £800 pp* for two weeks (£150 pp* for every extra week). Contact Madventurer on 0845 121 1996, www.madventurer.com

Tanzania
Year Out Group founder member i-to-i provides ethical volunteer travel. In Moshi, a busy little town close to Mount Kilimanjaro, in northern Tanzania, a variety of projects are available, including teaching English and assisting with other lessons and extra-curricular activities, from nursery school age through to secondary levels. Prices from £775 pp* for two weeks. Contact i-to-i on 0870 333 2332, www.i-to-i.com

China
Interested in visiting the next superpower? Project Trust's 12-month placements are education-related and are located in the northwestern province of Gansu and the most westerly region of China, Xinjiang. Most volunteers are working in state-funded secondary schools teaching spoken English to classes of up to sixty students. Teaching for sixteen hours a week, the role also involves organising conversation clubs and student activities. Funds of £4,480 pp** are required. Contact Project Trust on 01879 230444, www.projecttrust.org.uk

South Africa
Spend six weeks with the non-profit adventure company Greenforce in the Cape Province on a Penguin Rescue Course learning how to catch, handle, feed and administer medicine to a variety of seabirds. Prices from £1,450 pp*. Contact Greenforce on 020 7470 8888, www.greenforce.org

Canada
Gap year students aged 18-30 and career breakers up to age 35 can work in Canada's main tourist centres with the well-established gap year provider, BUNAC. Choose from Toronto, British Columbia and Alberta for between three and twelve months. The registration fee is £165 pp excluding flights and insurance. Contact BUNAC on 020 7251 3472, www.bunac.org

Ghana
If you love sport and adventure, Gap Sports offers a range of projects for rugby, football, ski and watersports enthusiasts. Train at Ghana's Football Academy and undertake an intensive six-week football training course, learning alongside professional players. In 2008, Ghana will also be hosting the Africa Cup. Prices from £1,695 pp* (12 July - 23 August). Contact Gap Sports on 0870 837 9797, www.gapsports.com

Kenya
Join forces with the local Akamba people on Quest Overseas' Kenya Water Relief Project. Based in the dry, central and rural Machakos district, a team of volunteers works closely with the local community to build small-scale sand-dams and water tanks to aid the collection and supply of water. Prices from £1,495 pp* for four weeks including project donation. Contact Quest on 01444 474744, www.questoverseas.com

Thailand
Personal Overseas Development provides great value two week - six month gaps, summer mini-gaps and career breaks. In Thailand, work as a volunteer at a nursing clinic and animal care centre on Koh Phangan in Southern Thailand, helping to care for the dogs and cats (and a few other animals!) whilst living on a beautiful tropical island. Prices from £395 pp***. Contact Personal Overseas Development on 01242 250 901, www.thepodsite.co.uk

Australia
Changing Worlds offers paid work placements in Queensland, Australia. Choose from volunteering at a local zoo, helping koalas, dingoes and crocodiles on a local project, or volunteer to be a jackaroo or a jillaroo on a sheep or cattle station. Paid work placements are also available in schools and the hospitality industry. A three-month placement in a zoo is priced £3,307 pp**. Contact Changing Worlds on 01883 340960, www.changingworlds.co.uk

Costa Rica
CESA Languages Abroad, a founder member of Year Out Group, offers Spanish language courses in the lively but rural Costa Rican city of San Isidro de Coronado. Courses can also be combined with volunteering or work experience. Courses run from 1-34 weeks. Prices from £297 pp, for one week of tuition and accommodation. Contact CESA Languages Abroad on 01209 211800, www.cesalanguages.com

The UK
Tante Marie's Surrey-based cookery courses range from 4-11 weeks in length and are ideal for gap year students wishing to acquire cookery skills to secure them temporary employment in the ski and travel industries. The four-week essential skills course is priced £2,300 pp*. Contact Tante Marie on 01483 726957, www.tantemarie.co.uk

* Prices listed generally include accommodation and some meals (depending on the project), but exclude flights.
** Price includes flights, transfers, accommodation, meals (depending on the trip) and a pre-trip debriefing. A small wage is also paid in China.
*** Accommodation included for first month only. Minimum age 21.

The article Top gap year destinations originally appeared on 999 Today