Indian students abroad fall by 15%. And in Canada by 41%

The number of Indian students pursuing higher studies abroad declined by nearly 15% in 2024 compared to the previous year, with the largest decline being seen in Canada, where Indian student enrolments fell by a staggering 41%.

International student recruitment experts say Indian students are increasingly re-evaluating their options for higher education abroad as visa policies become more stringent. Affordability and job opportunities during and after studies are also major considerations.

The Indian Minister of State for Education, Sukanta Majumdar, revealed the latest figures while responding to a parliamentary query from Indian Union Muslim League lawmaker Mohammed Basheer on 10 March.

The data presented by him in parliament indicated that 759,064 Indian students went abroad for education in 2024 compared to 892,989 in 2023 and 750,365 in 2022 (during the COVID pandemic).

In Canada, which has long been a popular destination for Indian students, enrolment of Indian students into higher education institutions fell to 137,608 in 2024 from 233,532 in 2023.

This decrease is largely attributed to stricter student visa regulations introduced by the Canadian government last year, leading to higher rejection rates and cancellations of study permits.

Escalating diplomatic tensions between India and Canada have also played a role in the decline.

In October 2023, Canada withdrew 41 diplomats from India amid allegations that Indian government agents had been involved in the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

Relations deteriorated further in October 2024, when both nations expelled diplomats following new accusations from Canada about Indian government agent involvement in activities Canada said threatened public safety.

Market adjustment

Maria Mathai, founder of MM Advisory Services, said the decline in Indian student numbers was “market adjustment”, not exit.

“While Canada saw a steep 41% drop, it hosts over 137,000 Indian students and is the second most popular destination for Indian students.

“Together, Canada, the UK, and the US continue to account for around 72% of Indian student mobility and are the top three destination countries,” she said.

Mathai said students are balancing rankings with affordability, return on investment, and policy certainty in their decision-making.

“It’s a recalibration, not a collapse. Students are responding pragmatically to shifting costs and changing visa rules.

“Student priorities are evolving with each policy shift in the industry. Our destination maps now have layered overlays – visa stability indices atop rankings.

The student who once asked: ‘What’s your university's rank?’ now asks: “What salary can I expect, and which programme guarantees work rights if policy changes?’” states Maria.

Declines in US, UK, and Australia

The United States has also reported a reduction in Indian student enrolments, with numbers dropping from 234,473 in 2023 to 204,058 in 2024, reflecting a nearly 13% decrease.

The UK experienced an even sharper decline, with enrolments falling by nearly 28%, from 136,921 in 2023 to 98,890 in 2024

In the US, there are obvious concerns that President Donald Trump’s return to office could lead to new visa restrictions that would affect student choices. Additionally, the Indian rupee has depreciated against the US dollar, resulting in increased tuition and living costs for students.

In March 2023, the exchange rate ranged from INR81.71 (US$0.95) to INR82.72 per US dollar, and by March 2025, it had risen to INR87.34 per dollar, making studying in the US significantly more expensive.

In the United Kingdom, the fall in Indian students is attributed to stricter visa regulations and changes in post-study work policies.

Australia – another popular destination for Indian students – also experienced a decline in Indian student enrolment – from 78,093 in 2023 to 68,572 in 2024. The drop is likely due to higher visa fees, stricter entry requirements, and concerns over housing affordability.

The Australian government has also implemented international student enrolment caps, which put a yearly limit on the number of international students commencing their studies in Australia.

China also saw a reduction in student numbers, likely impacted by geopolitical factors following the pandemic. The number of Indian students travelling to China dipped from 7,279 in 2023 to 4,978 in 2024, a decline of 31.6%.

Emerging destinations

Despite the overall decline in enrolment in the top four countries (US, UK, Canada and Australia), Indian student numbers have risen in Russia, France, Germany, and New Zealand. In Russia, Indian student enrolment grew from 19,784 in 2022 to 23,503 in 2023, reaching 31,444 in 2024.

In France enrolment increased from 6,406 students in 2022 to 8,536 in 2024. Germany also saw an appreciable increase, from 20,684 in 2022 to 34,702 in 2024, while New Zealand's numbers surged from 1,605 in 2022 to 4,298 in 2023 and 7,297 in 2024.

Academics and students suggest that the robust job market and favourable post-study work visa policies in a country like New Zealand have influenced these trends.

“Indian students are moving beyond traditional destinations. They are actively exploring cost-efficient alternatives such as Germany and Russia.

“And despite the quoted 30-40% increase in these countries, combined enrolments in these emerging destinations still trail behind the US, Canada and UK,” said Mathai.

Garima Mathur, a student in Chandigarh, Punjab, who is planning to go to Italy for further study, said: “The shifting preferences of Indian students reflect major global changes in visa policies, affordability, and post-study work opportunities.

“Factors such as cost, visa regulations, and diplomatic relations play a crucial role in students' decision-making.”