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Canada is a popular destination for international students, with a range of excellent education options beyond the high school diploma. The country hosted over 1 million international students in 2023, a 29% increase from 2022, with the majority of students coming from India, China, the Philippines, and Nigeria. International students contributed $30.9 billion to Canada's GDP in 2022, and the country has a reputation for its quality education and safe, tolerant, and multicultural society.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of international students in 2023 | 1,040,985 |
| Percentage increase in 2023 compared to 2022 | 29% |
| Total number of international students in 2022 | 807,260 or 807,750 |
| Number of study permit holders in 2022 | 551,405 |
| Number of international students enrolled only in tertiary education in 2019/2020 | 373,599 |
| Number of international students enrolled in universities in 2020/2021 | 231,291 |
| Number of international students enrolled in bachelor's degree programs in 2020/2021 | 160,842 |
| Number of international students enrolled in STEM subjects in 2020/2021 | 133,776 |
| Number of international students from India in 2022 | 226,450 or 319,000 |
| Number of international students in Ontario in 2022 | 411,985 |
| Number of international students enrolled in business, management, and public administration in 2018/2019 | 96,294 |
| Number of international students enrolled in mathematics, computer, and information sciences in 2018/2019 | 96,768 |
| Number of international students in Canada in 2019 | 642,480 |
| Number of international students in Canada in 2018 | 721,000 |
| Number of international students in Canada in 2016 | 525,140 |
| Number of international students in Canada in 2015 | 352,330 |
| Number of international students in Canada in 2010 | 142,170 |
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What You'll Learn
- Canada hosted over 1 million international students in 2023
- Most international students in Canada are post-secondary students
- Ontario is the province with the largest volume of international students
- Canada's immigration targets are criticised as too high
- Indian students are the largest group of international students in Canada
Canada hosted over 1 million international students in 2023
Canada has become an increasingly popular destination for international students in recent years, and this trend continued in 2023. According to data from Immigration, Citizenship and Refugees Canada (IRCC), the number of international students with active study permits in Canada rose to 1,040,985 in 2023, a 29% increase over 2022. This means that Canadian institutions are currently hosting almost as many international students as US institutions, despite the US having a population roughly nine times larger.
The majority of international students in Canada are post-secondary students enrolled in colleges and universities, with Ontario, Canada's most populous province, hosting the largest volume of international students. In 2023, Ontario accounted for 51% of international students in the country, with the popularity of Ontario college programmes driving this growth. The universities with the highest enrolment of international students in first-year undergraduate studies in 2016 were the University of British Columbia (31%), McGill University (30.7%), and Bishop's University (29.6%).
The top countries of origin for international students in Canada in 2023 were India, China, the Philippines, and Nigeria. Indian students alone made up 41% of the international student population in Canada in 2023. The large number of Indian students in Canada has been influenced by Indian international student activism, which has been highly active on social media, pushing Canada to support their individual, economic, and political goals. The increase in international student enrolment in colleges observed in 2022/2023 was driven by students from India, who accounted for a 31.6% increase in enrolment compared to the previous year.
The rise in international student numbers has had a significant impact on Canada's housing market and healthcare system, with demand for affordable housing outstripping supply and healthcare struggling to provide quality care for patients. In addition, there is evidence that as many as 1 in 5 study permit holders in Canada are not actually studying at the institutions to which they were accepted. Despite these challenges, international students contributed $30.9 billion to Canada's GDP in 2022, and the country continues to be an attractive destination for students worldwide due to its quality education and reputation as a safe, tolerant, and multicultural country.
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Most international students in Canada are post-secondary students
Canada is a popular destination for international students due to its quality education and reputation as a safe and tolerant multicultural country. The number of international students in Canada has been steadily increasing over the years, and in 2023, the country hosted more than 1 million international students.
Among all levels of study, most international students in Canada are post-secondary students. As of December 2019, there were a total of 642,480 international students in Canada, with over 120,000 of them being college students, according to the IRCC. This number increased significantly in 2023, with 1,040,985 international students across all levels of study. While the exact number of post-secondary students is not specified, it is safe to assume that the number of post-secondary students also increased proportionally.
The popularity of Ontario college programmes among international students has contributed to the province hosting the largest volume of international students in Canada. In 2023, Ontario accounted for 51% of international students in the country, followed by British Columbia (19.5%) and Quebec (11.5%).
The top three universities with the highest enrolment of international students in first-year undergraduate studies in 2016 were the University of British Columbia (31%), McGill University (30.7%), and Bishop's University (29.6%). For graduate students, the universities with the highest international enrolment were the University of Windsor (57.2%), Memorial University of Newfoundland (50%), and Concordia University (49.2%).
The increase in international student enrolment has had a significant impact on Canada's economy and society. International students contributed $30.9 billion to Canada's GDP in 2022. However, the high demand for affordable housing and healthcare services has also put pressure on the country's resources.
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Ontario is the province with the largest volume of international students
Canada has become an increasingly popular destination for international students, with over 1 million international students with active study permits in 2023, a 29% increase from 2022. This influx of international students has outpaced the population size, as Canada's population is roughly nine times smaller than that of the US, which hosts a similar number of international students.
Ontario, Canada's most populous province, has consistently hosted the largest number of international students. In 2021, Ontario accounted for 49% of international students in Canada, and this share grew to 51% in 2023. The popularity of Ontario's college programs among international students has driven this growth.
Ontario's prominence is further highlighted by the fact that in 2019, it had over 58,800 international students enrolled in its universities, with more than 40,000 international students reported in 2017. Ontario's colleges have been particularly attractive to international students, with a 21.4% enrolment rate in 2017/2018, far surpassing other provinces.
The influx of international students to Ontario has had a significant impact on the province. Ontario's colleges feature prominently on the list of institutions with the highest potential non-compliance rates, indicating that many international students may not be studying at the institutions they were accepted to. The high demand for affordable housing from international students has also contributed to Ontario's housing crisis, affecting marginalized communities the most.
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Canada's immigration targets are criticised as too high
Canada has seen a significant increase in the number of international students in recent years, with over 1 million foreign students with active study permits in 2023, a 29% increase from 2022. This rise has contributed to concerns about the Canadian government's immigration targets, which some critics argue are too high.
In October 2024, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government announced a sharp reduction in immigration targets, aiming to lower the number of permanent residents in 2025 from 500,000 to 395,000, a 21% decrease. This decision marked a notable shift in policy, as the Trudeau government had previously raised annual permanent resident targets, with the biggest jump occurring in 2021 after the Covid-19 pandemic. The cuts to immigration targets aim to address public concerns about the impact of rising immigration on housing and social services.
A Nanos Research public opinion poll conducted in September 2023 found that 55% of Canadians wanted the government to accept fewer international students. The high demand for affordable housing due to the increasing number of international students has put a strain on Canada's housing market. Additionally, Canada's healthcare system faces challenges in providing quality care for its growing population.
The decision to cut immigration targets has faced criticism from various groups, including advocacy organizations like the Migrant Rights Network. They argue that the government's previous efforts to increase immigration helped address labor shortages and contributed positively to the country's economy and diverse communities. Additionally, critics have pointed out the negative economic impact of drastically reducing both permanent and temporary immigration. For example, Ontario's minister of labour, immigration, training, and skills development, David Piccini, expressed concern about the province's ability to attract skilled trades workers to support housing and infrastructure development.
While the Canadian government aims to balance immigration levels with the need to support public services, the reduction in targets has sparked widespread debate and highlighted the complexities of managing immigration in a rapidly growing nation.
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Indian students are the largest group of international students in Canada
Canada is a popular destination for international students, with over 1 million international students with active study permits in 2023. This number rose by 29% from 2022 and constituted almost as many international students as the US, despite the US population being about nine times larger. Most international students in Canada are post-secondary students enrolled in colleges and universities. Ontario, Canada's most populous province, has long held the largest volume of international students, with 526,015 students as of November 2023.
Several factors have contributed to the surge in Indian students in Canada. Firstly, Canada offers a multi-year Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program, which is attractive to Indian students seeking work opportunities after their studies. Additionally, Canada has a strong diasporic Indian community, providing a sense of familiarity and support for incoming Indian students. The country's top-tier universities, which offer quality education, research experience, and excellent career opportunities, are also a significant draw for Indian students.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the decisions of some countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, to close their borders to international students in 2021 also contributed to the increase in Indian students in Canada. Indian students who faced challenges entering other countries turned to Canada due to its friendlier approach towards international students. Canada's immigration policies, such as the student direct stream, which accelerates visa processing, have also made it a more accessible and attractive destination for Indian students.
However, there have been recent indications of a decline in study permits issued to Indian students due to bilateral tensions and policy changes. In December 2023, the IRCC announced that designated learning institutions (DLIs) would be required to verify the acceptance letters of each applicant, and new study permit applicants as of January 1, 2024, must demonstrate increased financial capacity. These measures aim to address concerns about the increasing volume of international students in Canada and to ensure a balance in the education system.
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Frequently asked questions
There were over 1 million international students in Canada in 2023, with the exact number being reported as 1,040,985.
In 2022, there were 807,750 international students in Canada. This was a 29% increase from the previous year.
Ontario is Canada's most populous province and has the largest volume of international students in the country. In 2023, it hosted 51% of all international students in Canada. The second and third largest enrollers of international students are British Columbia and Quebec.
