Unfortunately, I don't have statistics on this issue and can't quote an academic missiologist who cites precise figures.

Operation World (2001) gives the following statistics: - There are almost 100,000 Christian missionaries in the world serving in countries other than their own. - Almost 51,000 of these are from North America and 16,000 from Europe. - The rest are from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific Islands.

These statistics show us that very soon, if not already, there will be more cross-cultural missionaries sent from non-Western countries than from the traditional base of missions activity in Europe and North America. Individuals in large numbers are still following the call of God to serve Him abroad. The interesting fact is that missionaries now are criscrossing from one continent to another. The largest church in Russia is pastored by an African, for example!

It is true that the "historic Protestant denominations" do not emphasize "missions" now as much as they did 75 years ago. I would say that the most significant reason is that their theology, in the main, has shifted. There is less conviction about people being lost without knowing Jesus, and a greater appreciation for the other world religions, as pluralism becomes more and more an ethos in our Western culture.

On the other hand, we see the existence of new, independent denominations and even large congregations, that carry a burden for the communication of the Gospel. Institutions like the U.S. Center for World Missions (Pasadena, CA) and schools like the School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary continue to both promote the vision of missions and train missionaries for cross-cultural ministry. The Urbana Student Mission Convention is also part of this vision. We also see increasing focus on areas of the world where the church is either weak or has never been firmly established as a priority of missionary activity, such as the countries where Islam is the dominant religion. Thus, the idea that "missionaries are becoming a dying breed" needs to be discussed and clarified. As for the attrition of missionaries after the first year, I think it might be more accurate to state that unfortunately a percentage don't return for a second term. Adjustment to cross-cultural missionary activity, including language learning, culture shock, and unfulfilled expectations take their toll. Once again, I can't help you with statistics on this matter, but I do know that mission agencies are much more proactive in both screening potential missionaries as well as providing orientation before they leave their home country as well as "member care" when overseas.

I trust that some of these thoughts will be helpful to you though they don't specifically answer your simple question.