India is the second largest source of international students globally. In the year 2022, more than 7.5 lacs^ students migrated to various countries for further studies. It is India’s highest number to date and almost a 70%^ increase over the previous year 2021.
An interesting insight has come to light on the dynamics of Indian students’ migration from the government’s official statements in recent years. The most favored destination for Indian students is being United States of America (USA) followed by Canada and the United Kingdom (UK). Australia has slipped to 4th position due to various factors including the impact of COVID-19. In 2022, the USA embassy in India issued almost 2 lac student Visas, a substantial increase from 1.25 lacs^ in the year 2021.
Canada has also gained a substantial number in 2022 and ranked 2nd after the USA with approximately 1.85 lacs^ student admission from India, an increase from 1.02 lacs in the previous year 2021. The 3rd most sought-after country in the list in the year 2022 was the UK, which accommodated 1.30 lacs Indian students as compared to 70K^ in 2021.
The decline in students’ immigration to Australia in recent years can be attributed to the fact that many Australian universities have restricted applications of Indian students from a few Indian states. Australia used to be 3rd most popular destination for Indian students before Covid-19. The entry restrictions due to COVID-19, and the online classes caused the Indian students’ enrolment in Australian universities came down to its lowest numbers in 2021 benefiting UK and Canadian universities substantially during that period.
The student migration to Australia in 2019 was double that of the UK. In the year 2022, though Australia has again gained momentum, but could not reach its’ pre-COVID numbers, and settled with merely less than 60K Indian students’ admission to its various universities placing it at number 4 position for Indian students migrating overseas for education.
The other country which experienced a steep decline in student immigration during the same period was New Zealand. Dropping from over 10K students in 2019 to just around 1600^ in year 2022. Germany secured the 5th country in the list with approximately over 20K inbound students from India in 2022 followed by Russia and Singapore at number 6th and 7th respectively.
The upward trend in students’ migration to Russia is due to its relatively low cost of medical science. The other countries where students migrate to pursue medicine are Ukraine, Kazakhstan, China, Bangladesh etc. The number of students admitted to Ukraine universities has declined in 2022 due to the Russian-Ukraine war.
Singapore ranked 7th in the list in the year 2022 for Indian students seeking migration for education. In the year 2022, a total of 17000^ Indian students enrolled in various colleges and universities in Singapore, which was a significant jump from the previous years. The reasons for the upward trend in Singapore include reasonable costs of education, multi-culturalism and similarity, top-raked world universities, and of course safe living environment. However, the only disadvantage is the lack of default post-study work rights.
This trend of Indian students migrating abroad is expected to grow steadily in the coming years with the rise in the income of the highly aspirational middle-class population. However, the students need to consider several factors before selecting a country and the university:
- Why do you want to study abroad?
- What advantages does your chosen country “A” offer over others?
- Which colleges or universities meet your needs?
- Consider your financial position and the need for financial assistance.
- Assess the availability of post-study work rights and future opportunities.
- Evaluate your social and cultural adaptability.
A thorough research on the aforementioned points before making a final decision can significantly mitigate the risk of unforeseen events. Consulting a reputable and genuine education consultant is advisable for comprehensive guidance and streamlined application processes to overseas universities. Taking these steps ensures a more informed and secure journey towards studying abroad.
Click here to schedule a no-obligation and free counselling session with our experts.
^ Source: Statista.com, worldbank.org