Sharp Decline In Indians Moving Abroad For Studies, Canada Sees Major Drop; Russia, France, Germany, NZ Gain

The number of Indian students pursuing education overseas declined by nearly 15% in 2024 compared to the previous year, with the most major drop observed in Canada-a staggering 41% decrease-the Ministry of Education informed Parliament on Monday.

Data presented by the ministry also highlighted a notable increase in the number of Indian students opting to study in Russia, which saw a 33.7% rise in 2024 compared to 2023, reported The Print.

Responding to a query from Lok Sabha member and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader E. T. Mohammed Basheer regarding the number of Indians studying abroad, Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar provided statistics from the past three years.

According to the data, 7,50,365 Indian students were studying overseas in 2022, a figure that rose to 8,92,989 in 2023, reflecting a post-pandemic recovery. However, this number declined to 7,59,064 in 2024, marking a decrease of nearly 15%.

Sharp Decline in Students Choosing Canada

A country-wise breakdown of the figures revealed a substantial drop in the number of Indian students opting for Canada, with the numbers plummeting from 2,33,532 in 2023 to 1,37,608 in 2024-a decline of 41%.

Canada's stricter student visa regulations introduced last year have significantly impacted Indian students, leading to a surge in visa rejections, increased scrutiny of applications, and even potential cancellations of study permits.

The drop in student numbers coincides with heightened diplomatic tensions between India and Canada.

In October 2023, Canada recalled 41 diplomats from India following New Delhi's demand for 'parity' in diplomatic presence, amidst a dispute over the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Relations further soured in October 2024 when both countries expelled each other's diplomats amid mutual accusations over Nijjar's assassination.

Decline in Indian Students Going to the UK, US, and Australia

The data also indicates a decline in Indian students enrolling in universities in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

The number of Indian students going to the US fell from 2,34,473 in 2023 to 2,04,058 in 2024, reflecting a 12.9% decrease. This decline is likely due to uncertainties surrounding policy changes under the Trump administration, which caused students to reconsider studying in the US.

Similarly, the UK witnessed a sharp drop, with the number of Indian students decreasing from 1,36,921 in 2023 to 98,890 in 2024-a decline of 27.7%. This trend is attributed to stricter visa regulations and changes to post-study work policies.

Australia also saw a 12% decline, with student numbers falling from 78,093 in 2023 to 68,572 in 2024, largely due to policy changes, including increased visa fees, stricter entry requirements, and concerns over housing affordability.

Additionally, the number of Indian students choosing China fell from 7,279 in 2023 to 4,978 in 2024.

Growth in Indian Students Opting for Russia, France, and Germany

While major Western destinations saw a decline, countries such as Russia, France, and Germany reported an increase in Indian student enrolments.

The number of Indian students in Russia has steadily risen over the past three years, from 19,784 in 2022 to 23,503 in 2023, reaching 31,444 in 2024-a 33.7% increase from the previous year.

Similarly, France saw an increase in Indian student numbers, from 6,406 in 2022 to 7,484 in 2023, further rising to 8,536 in 2024.

Germany also recorded significant growth, with student numbers climbing from 20,684 in 2022 to 23,296 in 2023, and reaching 34,702 in 2024.

New Zealand witnessed a sharp increase in Indian student enrolments, growing from 1,605 in 2022 to 7,297 in 2024.

In contrast, the Philippines experienced a slight decline, with student numbers dropping from 11,261 in 2022 to 8,101 in 2024.