100 Study Abroad Statistics: Facts and Figures [2024 Updated]

Check out the essential findings based on a survey carried out via the Institute for International Education of Students (IES).

1. Increased Confidence: 96% of students reported a boost in their confidence after studying abroad.

2. Lasting Worldview Impact: 95% of students noted that their experience abroad profoundly impacted their worldview, broadening their perspectives and understanding of different cultures.

3. Accelerated Maturity: 97% of students felt that studying abroad accelerated their personal growth and maturity, equipping them with the capabilities to navigate the global landscape.

4. Ongoing Friendships: Over 52% of students maintain friendships with individuals they met in the U.S. and often reconnect with them during summer vacations, promoting a sense of community and connection.

5. Enhanced Cultural Understanding & Worldview: Several students stated that studying abroad deepened their understanding of their cultural values and biases. 82% of students felt that their experience abroad broadened their worldview significantly.

6. Influence on Cultural Interactions: 94% of respondents indicated that their study abroad experience continues to shape their interactions with people from other cultures.

7. Impact on Academic Pursuits: 70% of students reported that studying abroad influenced their subsequent academic endeavours, with around half engaging in volunteer work, foreign employment, or internships afterwards.

8. Career Skills Development: 90% of students reported that acquiring skills during their study abroad experience impacted their career choices. Additionally, those with recommendation letters from international institutions are more likely to secure employment.

The results below are from the latest Erasmus Impact Study, a comprehensive survey examining mobility's effects on students' employability, skill development, and the internationalisation of higher education. This study is widely recognised for its rigorous methodology and influence on international education policies.

1. Employability: 92% of employers value traits like tolerance, confidence, curiosity, knowing one's strengths/weaknesses, decisiveness and problem-solving skills, which increase by 42% in Erasmus students.

2. Career Advancement: Erasmus students experience faster career growth; 64% of employers offer greater responsibility to staff with international experience.

3. Unemployment: Erasmus students are 50% less likely to face long-term unemployment than those who have yet to study abroad and 23% less likely to be unemployed five years after graduation.

4. Student Mobility: Erasmus improves career prospects and offers students broader horizons and social links. 40% have changed their nation of residence or work at least once since graduation, almost double of those who were not mobile during their studies.

5. Strategic Value: 83% of HEIs view study mobility as crucial for internationalisation; 80% value it for their international profile.

6. Staff Mobility: Mobile staff show higher values in five out of six personality traits. Over 70% find that mobility increases knowledge and skills that benefit their HEI.

7. Teaching Quality: 81% of academic staff report improved teaching quality and interdisciplinary cooperation due to mobility.

8. Living Abroad: While 93% of students with international experience can live in abroad in the future, only 73% stay in the same host country during their studies.

9. Transnational Relationships: Former Erasmus students are also more likely to have transnational relationships: 33% of former Erasmus students have a partner of a different nationality, compared with 13% of those who stay home during their studies; 27% of Erasmus students meet their long-term partner while on Erasmus.

These findings were reported by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in recent years.

1. Rising Global Enrollment: The number of students studying abroad is increasing annually by 10%. In the last decade, driven by demographic changes, approximately 5 million students were enrolled in foreign institutions; this number is expected to reach 8 million by 2025.

2. Top Host Countries: Luxembourg, Australia, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Austria are the most popular destinations for international students. Together, these five countries host half of all international students worldwide.

3. Leading Regions: In the last decade, the regions hosting the most international students were East Asia and the Pacific (19%), Eastern Europe (10%), and North America and Western Europe (57% combined).

4. Top Source Countries: China and India are the leading countries sending students abroad, with the highest numbers of students studying overseas.

5. Small Nations Sending More Students Abroad: In several small countries, including Andorra, Anguilla, Bermuda, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Montserrat, the Seychelles, and the Turks and Caicos Islands, more students study abroad than at home.

6. Fields of Study: Over 30% of international students in law, business, and social sciences attend universities in English-speaking countries. The U.S., the U.K., and Australia host 36% of all international students.

7. Emerging Destinations: New countries have become significant players in international education in recent years. Canada now enrolls 5% of international students, while Japan and Russia each enroll 4%, and Spain enrolls 2%. As these new destinations grow, the market share of traditionally popular countries is shrinking.

8. Efforts to Attract More Students: Traditional source countries are working hard to attract more international students. China hosted over 380,000 international students in 2014 and aims to increase this number to 500,000 by 2020. Japan targets 300,000 international students by 2020, and Malaysia aims to attract 250,000 by 2025.

Also, read: Top 100 Universities in USA

According to a study released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently, the following findings were reported:

1. Increase in International Enrollment: In the last year, the total number of SEVIS records, which are records of active F-1 and M-1 students in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), reached 1,503,649, showing significant growth from the previous year.

2. Regional Growth: Between 2022 and 2023, international student enrollment increased in all four U.S. regions, with growth rates ranging from 5.7% to 13.4%.

3. STEM OPT Participation: In 2023, 122,101 international students participated in STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT), with the majority coming from India (39.1%) and China (23.7%).

4. California Leads in International Students: California hosted the most significant percentage of international students in the U.S., with 237,594 students in 2023, representing 15.8% of the total international student population.

5. Asia Dominates as the Top Origin Continent: Asia remained the most popular continent of origin for international students, with India and China showing significant increases in student numbers.

6. Decrease in SEVP-Certified Schools: The number of SEVP-certified schools eligible to enrol international students decreased to 7,417 in 2023, down from 7,683 in 2022.

7. Significance of International Students: These trends underscore the growing importance of the U.S. as a destination for international students, especially in STEM fields, and their continued contribution to the U.S. economy and academic landscape.

8. Access to Detailed Trends: The SEVIS Data Mapping Tool on Study in the States offers a comprehensive overview of how international student enrollment has evolved over time.

9. Awareness of Health Insurance: Only 14% of international students were aware of health insurance availability in their host countries, highlighting an awareness gap not detailed in recent statistics focusing more on enrollment and OPT.

10. Value of Foreign Language Proficiency in the UK: In the UK, 70% of firms value foreign language skills in their workforce. Additionally, 38% of businesses believe language proficiency is crucial for building strong relationships with suppliers, customers, and clients.

11. Cost of Language Barriers in Export Businesses: A survey conducted by the University of Wales found that language and cultural barriers cost 25% of export businesses in Wales and England their business, highlighting the challenges of doing international business without effective communication.

12. Emerging Markets and Global Corporations: According to McKinsey Global Institute, emerging markets are expected to host 45% of the world's largest corporations by 2025.

13. Shortage of Internationally Qualified Staff: A recent poll revealed that over 40% of U.S. companies missed global business opportunities due to a lack of staff with international qualifications.

14. Customer Demographics: 95% of customers are not American, indicating businesses' global reach and the importance of understanding international markets.

15. Impact of Cultural Videos on Study Abroad Interest: Contrary to expectations, showing cultural videos in the classroom did not significantly increase students' interest in studying abroad. Only 31% of students felt inspired to study overseas after watching Indian films.

16. American College Students Studying Abroad: 90% of American college students do not study abroad.

17. Demographics of American Students Abroad: According to the Institute of International Education, women represent 65% of American college students studying abroad, while Black Americans make up only 5% of the study-abroad population.

18. Harvard Business School’s International Requirement: Every first-year student at Harvard Business School is required to complete an overseas field project in an emerging market country, partnering with a local company.

Also, read: Top 10 Exams for Studying Abroad: IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, and More!

Now, some statistics specifically about Indian students studying abroad:

1. Indian Students Leaving for Studies: In 2023-24, approximately 750,000 Indian students went abroad for higher education, marking the most considerable emigration of Indian students to date. The top destinations for these students were Australia, Canada, and the United States.

2. Total Indian Students Abroad: According to the Ministry of External Affairs, around 1.3 million Indian students studied abroad in 2023-24, with the United States being the most popular destination.

3. Work Opportunities in Canada: In March 2023, Canada extended the duration of work permits for international students, allowing them to work in Canada for around up to 18 months after completing their studies.

4. Work Opportunities in the UK: In October 2023, the UK government introduced a new visa policy enabling international students to start working even before finishing their studies, providing them with valuable work experience earlier.

5. Future Job Prospects: A report by the World Economic Forum predicts that by 2025, approximately 97 million new jobs will be available globally for graduates in STEM and technology fields, driven by growth in major industries and economies.

6. Education Loans for Overseas Studies: The value of education loans disbursed for studying abroad from India increased significantly by over 50%, rising from ₹15,445 crore in 2021-22 to ₹23,576 crore in 2023-24. This reflects a growing trend of Indian students financing their education overseas.

7. Rise in Education Loan Applications: The growing demand for overseas education and increased scholarship programs contribute to a surge in education loan applications. Despite the rise in scholarships, they may not fully cover some students' funding needs.

8. Outstanding Education Loan Portfolio: According to the Reserve Bank of India, India's total outstanding education loan portfolio grew by 17%, reaching ₹96,847 crore in 2022-23. This indicates a significant increase in student borrowing for both domestic and international education.

9. State Bank of India’s Role: In 2021-22, the State Bank of India (SBI) disbursed nearly 47% of all education loans for overseas studies, highlighting its significant role in supporting Indian students' international education.

Head over to some results from the Indian Student Mobility Report 2023:

1. Projected Expenditure: The Indian Student Mobility Report 2023 estimates that by 2025, Indian students studying overseas will spend USD 70 billion on direct expenses, including tuition fees, accommodation, and living costs.

2. Indian Students Abroad: The number of Indian students studying abroad surpassed 1 million in 2019 and is projected to reach between 1.5 and 2 million by 2025.

3. Popular Destinations: As of 2023, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia are the top destinations for Indian students, with approximately 850,000 Indian students enrolled across these four countries.

4. Student Spending in 2023: Indian students are expected to spend a combined total of under USD 34 billion this year. Half of this expenditure will go towards tuition fees, while the other half will cover housing and living expenses.

5. Expenditure in the UK: In the UK, Indian students (approximately 132,000) are estimated to spend USD 5.9 billion, which includes USD 3.4 billion on tuition fees, USD 1.3 billion on accommodation, and USD 1.2 billion on other living expenses.

6. Top Study Destinations: The leading countries for Indian students are Australia, the UK, the USA, Germany, France, China, Spain, and Russia.

7. Affordability and Preferences: Indian students often choose more affordable destinations, such as Germany (54%), Russia (21%), the Philippines (8%), Singapore (8%), and France (9%). However, many prefer English-speaking countries like the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Ireland.

8. Visa Trends: In 2023-24, the US and the UK issued record numbers of student visas to Indian students, driven by the presence of top universities, specialised courses, and favourable post-study work opportunities.

9. Economic Contribution in the US: Indian students (approximately 240,000) contribute about USD 12.48 billion to the US economy. This includes USD 7.2 billion for academic fees, USD 2.9 billion for accommodation, and USD 2.4 billion for other living expenses.

10. Economic Contribution in Canada: In Canada, around 300,000 Indian students are estimated to spend USD 11.7 billion, including USD 6 billion on academic fees, USD 3 billion on accommodation, and USD 2.7 billion on other living necessities.

11. Economic Contribution in Australia: Indian students (about 76,500) in Australia have an estimated total expenditure of USD 3.9 billion, with USD 1.68 billion allocated to academic fees, USD 0.99 billion for accommodation, and USD 1.22 billion for other living expenses.

12. Economic Contribution in the UK: Indian students (approximately 132,000) in the UK spend an estimated USD 5.9 billion, divided between USD 3.4 billion for academic fees, USD 1.3 billion for accommodation, and USD 1.2 billion for other living expenses.

13. Higher Education System in India: India has close to 1,200 universities, 49,400 colleges, and 12,600 standalone institutions, making it the largest higher education ecosystem in the world by the number of institutions. The system comprises 41 million students and 1.55 million faculty members. Despite this, the gross enrollment ratio (GER) of around 27% is lower than that of many developed countries.

14. Market Size and Growth: India’s higher education sector is estimated at around USD 40 billion in 2023, with CAGR of 15%. While private institutions account for 59% of enrollments, the regulatory environment is not entirely conducive to high-quality private education.

15. Students Going Abroad in 2023-24: Approximately 1.2 million Indian students were studying abroad in 2023-24, with around 750,000 of these students having gone abroad in that year alone.

16. Top Indian States for Studying Abroad: The states with the highest number of students going abroad include Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi/NCR, and Tamil Nadu.

17. US Enrollment Statistics for 2023-24: In 2023-24, an estimated 20 million Indian students were enrolled in higher education in the US, 80% in undergraduate programs and 20% in postgraduate programs. The total number of international students in the US was around 1 million, with 250,000 expected to be Indian students.

18. Concentration of Indian Students in the US: About 25% of Indian students studying in the US are concentrated in California and New York.

19. Canada Enrollment Statistics for 2023-24: Canada was expected to host about 900,000 international students in 2023-24, with around 320,000 being Indian students. Of these, 300,000 are expected to be in higher education.

20. Indian Students in Canada: Indian students are Canada's most significant international student group, making up about 35% of all international students.

21. Australia Enrollment Statistics for 2023-24: Australia was expected to host approximately 750,000 international students in 2023, of which about 127,500 were Indian students. Among the 76,500 Indian students in Australia, around 51,000 are enrolled in the top eight cities.

22. UK Enrollment Statistics for 2023-24: The UK was expected to have around 750,000 international students by the end of 2023, with approximately 150,000 being Indian students. Of these, around 132,000 are expected to be in higher education. India is the UK's second-largest source of international students after China.

23. Student Accommodation Booking Issues: The current booking process is highly inefficient. Due to a lack of real-time data, the supply side has a 50% dropout rate, and the demand side has a 25% dropout rate, resulting in about 75% of transactions being prone to failure.

Also, read: Indian Government Scholarships to Study Abroad

Here are the essential points from the Open Doors Report 2023-24:

1. Recent Study Abroad Recovery: The number of students studying abroad reached over 50% of pre-pandemic levels, with 188,753 students from the U.S. participating, despite ongoing impacts from COVID-19.

2. U.S. International Students: For the 2022/2023 academic year, the U.S. hosted 1,057,188 international students, reflecting a 12% increase from the previous year, reaching over a million.

3. Record Indian Enrollment: India achieved a record high, with 268,923 students studying abroad in 2023/2024, making it the second-largest source of international students globally after China. This represents a 35% increase year-over-year.

To conclude, studying abroad is increasingly popular, with significant growth in Indian students seeking international education. The data highlights expanding global opportunities and underscores overseas studies' economic impact and personal growth, marking a pivotal trend in global education.

We hope you gained profound knowledge about studying abroad. However, if you have doubts concerning studying abroad, contact our expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). Students can also take free online counselling or free video counselling  through our website. Our expert counsellors will provide the best support and guidance for admission and visa. For more information or any queries, contact application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011.

Question: What are the main benefits of studying abroad?

Answer: Studying abroad offers international networking, enhanced career prospects, personal growth, and exposure to diverse cultures and education systems.

Question: How many Indian students are expected to study abroad in 2024?

Answer: According to the Indian government, over 1.33 million Indian students are expected to study abroad in 2024, a slight increase from the 1.31 students who studied abroad in 2023. 

Question: What percentage of students reported increased confidence after studying abroad?

Answer: According to a survey by IES, 96% of students reported a boost in their confidence after studying abroad.

Question: Which countries are the top destinations for Indian students?

Answer: The most popular destinations are the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. 

Question: How much are Indian students expected to spend on studying abroad by 2025?

Answer: Indian students are projected to spend USD 70 billion on direct expenses by 2025. This denotes a significant increase from the current estimated direct expenditure of US$47 billion as of 2022.

Question: What is the projected number of international students worldwide by 2025?

Answer: According to University World News, the number of international students enrolled in higher education will double to 262 million by 2025.

Question: How has the number of Indian students studying abroad changed recently?

Answer: The number of Indian students heading abroad for higher education is increasing yearly. According to the latest Indian Student Mobility Report by Global Education Conclave, around 1.3 million Indian students are studying abroad.

Question: What is the economic contribution of Indian students to the US economy?

Answer: Indian students have contributed approximately USD 7.6 billion to the US economy in recent years.

Question: How many international students were hosted by the US?

Answer: The US hosted 1,057,188 international students at US higher education institutions and were on Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the 2022/2023 academic year.

Question: Which country has the most students studying abroad?

Answer: China and India have the highest number of students applying for overseas education. According to UNESCO, more than 1 million Chinese students and 5.1 lakhs of Indian students choose to study abroad every year.