Lori Meadows
The number of international students is increasing globally, with six million students studying in countries other than their own in 2019, and projections of a 4% growth rate over subsequent years, culminating in over nine million students studying abroad by 2030. The top countries for international student enrollment include the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Japan. In the US, international student enrollment increased by 7% in the 2023/2024 academic year, with 1,126,690 international students from over 210 places of origin. Canada also experienced a 29% increase in international students by the end of 2023, amounting to 1,040,985 students and constituting over 2% of the country's population. The UK and Japan are also witnessing growing numbers of international students, with Japan setting targets to increase its international student population.
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What You'll Learn
International students in the US
International students have long been attracted to the United States, with its higher education system seen as a major export. During the 2023-2024 academic year, more than 1.1 million international students studied at US higher education institutions, an increase of 7% from the previous year. This number rose to over 1.12 million foreign students in American colleges in 2023-24.
International students are defined as "non-immigrant" visitors who come to the US temporarily to take classes or take online courses virtually from anywhere in the world. A non-immigrant is someone who meets one or more criteria, such as coming to the US temporarily for business or pleasure. The US has always been one of the most popular study-abroad countries for international students.
International students contribute enormously to their local communities, injecting money into the economy and supporting American jobs. In the 2023-2024 academic year, international students contributed a combined $43-43.8 billion to the US economy and supported more than 375,000 jobs across the country. International students typically pay full tuition rates, providing valuable revenue that subsidizes the cost of attendance for domestic students. In addition to tuition, international students also spend money on housing, food, transportation, health insurance, and other personal needs, supporting local businesses and driving economic activity across various sectors.
The majority of international students in the US pursue STEM fields, with more than half enrolled in STEM programs. They make up only 5% of the total student population but earn nearly half of all Master's and Doctor's STEM degrees. International graduates also fill essential roles in other fields, including healthcare, where foreign-born doctors make up a quarter of licensed US doctors and tend to serve in high-need areas like rural and low-income communities.
The leading places of origin for international students in the US are India and China, which together make up over half of all international students in the country. In 2023-2024, there were 331,602 Indian students studying in the US, a 23% increase from the previous year, while China sent 277,398 students, a 4% decline. The number of Indian students enrolling in American universities is projected to surge to over 1 million per year by 2030. Other countries in the top 10 for sending international students to the US include Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan, and Spain.
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International students in Canada
International students are present at all levels of education in Canada, including primary, secondary, trades, college, and post-secondary education. The number of international students in Canada has been steadily increasing. There were various estimates of the number of international students in Canada as of 2019, with the IRCC reporting 642,480 international students, while the GAC reported 721,000 students. The IRCC figure represented a 13% increase from the previous year.
In 2022, there was a significant increase in the number of Indian students in Canada, with 26.8% of international students in the country originating from India in 2023. This shift was influenced by Indian international student activism on social media, which pushed Canada to support their individual, economic, and political goals. In 2023, Canada hosted over 1 million international students, a 29% increase from the previous year.
Canada's international student population is not without its challenges. Some private institutions have revoked admission offers to international students because they lack the capacity to accommodate large volumes of students. There have also been allegations of corruption in Canadian higher education, with a 2007 UNESCO report alleging widespread corruption, which led to Canada's global anti-corruption ranking being downgraded from #8 to #12 in 2018.
Canada's International Education Strategy for 2019-2024 aims to diversify the inbound student population and distribute students more evenly across the country. Canadian educational institutes have offered English as a Second Language (ESL) programs and specific international student scholarships to attract more international students. A 2020 CBIE survey found that 96% of international students endorsed Canada as a study destination due to its quality education and reputation as a safe and tolerant country.
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International students in the UK
International students are a significant contributor to the economies of many countries, and the UK is no exception. The UK is one of the world's most popular destinations for international students, often ranking within the top three countries alongside the US and Australia. In 2021, the UK regained its position as the second most popular destination globally for international students, a spot it retained in 2022.
The UK's popularity among international students has resulted in a substantial economic impact. A study by Universities UK International (UUKi) and other organisations found that the economic impact of international students in the UK rose from £31.3 billion in 2018/19 to £41.9 billion in 2021/22. International tuition fees made up a significant proportion of tuition fee income for many universities, with University College London's revenue from international fees reaching over £678 million in the 2023/24 academic year. The UK government has recognised the value of international students, setting a target in 2019 to recruit 600,000 international students in higher education by 2030 and increase the value of higher education exports to £35 billion annually. This target was met in just one year, and in the 2023/24 academic year, there were 732,285 international students in UK higher education institutions, equivalent to 25.2% of all higher education students in the UK.
However, there have been concerns about the number of international students moving into the asylum system and low-paid work. In 2024, around 40% of the 40,000 asylum seekers had previously held a UK study visa, suggesting that the student route might be used to claim humanitarian protection. Additionally, 60% of people on graduate visas earned less than £30,000 after 12 months. As a result, the newly elected Labour government in 2025 proposed measures to reduce migration, including reducing the term of the graduate visa to 18 months and introducing new English language requirements for dependants of students.
The UK's position as a leading destination for international students has faced competition from other countries. The US, for instance, hosted more than 1.1 million international students in 2023/24, with India and China being the top countries of origin. Canada has also seen a 29% increase in international students from the previous year, with India and China being the top sending countries. Additionally, countries like Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and India are emerging as evolving destinations for international students, offering more options for those seeking cross-border education.
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International students in Germany
Germany has become a popular study destination for international students, attracting students from all over the world, including China, Italy, France, and India. The country's higher education sector is valued and recognized worldwide for its innovation, science, and research. Germany's total student population is 2.8 million, out of which there were 469,485 international students as of 2023/2024, according to Wissenschaft Weltoffen. This number has been steadily increasing over the years, with international student numbers increasing by 55.7% within a decade, from 2013/14 to 2023/2024. In just one year, from 2023 to 2024, the number of international students increased by 2.4%.
Germany's world-class education system and diverse study programs are a major draw for international students. The country offers over 380 recognized universities and 17,000 study programs, providing a wide range of options for students to pursue their academic interests. The approval of tuition-free education in Germany in 2014 has also played a significant role in attracting international students, with numbers spiking from 301,350 to 469,485 since then.
The cost of living in Germany is relatively affordable for international students, with approximately €992-€1,1904 per month needed to live comfortably. The low tuition fees and the opportunity to work part-time during studies also make Germany an attractive study destination. International students can stay in Germany for up to 18 months after graduation to find employment through an extended residence permit.
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International students in Australia
International students are an important cohort for many countries, and Australia is no exception. In 2023, Australia had 786,891 international students enrolled in educational programs, a 27% increase from the previous year. This number is projected to increase by 18% in 2024, bringing the total number of international students in Australia to over 900,000.
Australia has the highest ratio of international students per capita in the world. In 2019, international students represented an average of 26.7% of the student body population in Australian universities. This figure is even higher for 2023, with 1 international student for every 33.6 people in the country (3.48% of the population). This high ratio is due to the large number of international students and Australia's relatively small population.
The Australian government actively encourages international students to study, work, and stay in the country, particularly in regional areas such as Adelaide, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory. International students are required to obtain a student visa (subclass 500) and can stay in Australia for up to 5 years, depending on their enrolment. Around 400,000 overseas students are granted this visa each year. To obtain the visa, students must submit an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and a compulsory English language proficiency test score. Additionally, each student visa applicant must prove that they have the financial ability to pay for their tuition fees, books, and daily living expenses while in Australia.
The high number of international students in Australia contributes significantly to the country's economy. In 2018, international students generated a total market value of over 5 billion AUD (3.47 billion USD). Australia's appeal to international students is due to its diverse range of study options, subjects, and locations, as well as the possibility of gaining a high-quality education and immigrating.
The top source countries for international students in Australia in 2023 were China, India, Nepal, Colombia, and the Philippines. These countries contributed significantly to the high number of international students in Australia, with China alone contributing 24% of regional area enrolments in 2018.
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Frequently asked questions
There were 6.9 million international students worldwide in 2022, a 176% increase from 2.5 million in 2002.
The top destination countries for international students in 2022 were:
- United Kingdom (10%)
- Germany (6%)
- Australia (6%)
- Russian Federation (5%)
- Canada (5%)
The top countries of origin for international students in 2022 were:
- China (1,052,000)
- India (622,000)
- Uzbekistan (150,000)
- Vietnam (134,000)
- Germany (126,000)
International students are important for the United States as they:
- Contribute to the economy: International students typically pay full tuition rates, providing valuable revenue that subsidizes the cost of attendance for domestic students and allows schools to increase domestic student enrollment.
- Support graduate programs and research efforts: International students enroll in graduate programs and serve as faculty and postdoctoral researchers, particularly in science and engineering fields.
- Create jobs and raise wages: When international graduates stay in the U.S. long-term, they create jobs, start new businesses, and raise wages for U.S.-born workers.
- Help America compete globally: International students and graduates help America compete on the world stage and attract the world's most promising talent.
Additionally, international students are important for the United States due to the growing trend of student mobility and the increasing diversity of destinations. The United States needs to address recruiting and retention challenges to remain competitive in attracting international students.
