The number of Indian students studying abroad declined by nearly 15% in 2024 compared to the previous year, with the largest decline observed in Canada, where Indian student enrolments fell by 41% according to a report by Indian Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar, to Indian parliament. Majumdar told Parliament that in 2022, there were 750,365 Indian students studying abroad. This number rose to 892,989 in 2023 but dropped to 759,064 in 2024.
While Canada has long been a popular destination for Indian students, the number of Indian students enrolled in Canadian higher education institutions fell to 137,608 in 2024 from 233,532 in 2023. This decline is primarily due to stricter student visa regulations implemented by the Canadian government in 2024. However, growing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada have also contributed to the decline.
The number of Indian students in the US, UK, and Australia has also declined. ICEF Monitor analysis notes that this is largely due to changes in policy settings regarding study visas, bringing dependents, and post-study work rights.
As Indian student numbers have declined in the Big Four destinations, others have witnessed significant growth according to the figures presented by Majumdar to Indian parliament:
- The number of Indian students in Russia increased from 19,784 in 2022 to 23,503 in 2023 and further to 31,444 in 2024.
- France, which has a target of 30,000 Indian students by 2030 has seen an increase in Indian student numbers from 6,406 in 2022 to 7,484 in 2023, and then to 8,536 in 2024.
- Germany also experienced an increase in Indian student numbers – from 20,684 in 2022 to 23,296 in 2023, and further to 34,702 in 2024, representing nearly a 49% increase from 2023.
- New Zealand has also experienced a significant surge, with the number of Indian students studying in the country increasing from 1,605 in 2022 to 7,297 in 2024.
While these countries have been strong alternative destinations for Indian students over the past decade, a range of factors have driven the increased numbers of Indian students in these destinations in recent years. In paricular, affordability is a major reason that Indian students are turning to alternative destinations.
A report by The PIE News notes that Indian students studying in Russia are attracted by Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Aviation and PhD programmes, many of which offer partial scholarships, guaranteed accommodation, affordable tuition fees and low costs of living. Additionally, Russian universities do not have requirements around TOEFL, IELTS or bank guarantees.
A recent report from the British Council says that the decline in Indian student numbers is in part due to a ‘market correction’ after enrolments from India surged in 2022 and 2023, but in the longer term is likely to be ‘healthy for the sustainability of student mobility from India’.
