Globalisation and rising aspirations for high quality higher education have driven a sharp increase in the number of Indian students choosing to study abroad. India remains one of the world’s largest sources of international students, with outbound student mobility recording a compound annual growth rate of 8.84 per cent between 2016 and 2024.
The latest data for 2024–25 highlighted notable shifts in destination preferences, with established study hubs facing growing competition from emerging education markets.
United States Slips to Second Position
While the United States has traditionally been the most favoured destination for Indian students, it has seen a gradual decline in recent years. The number of Indian students studying in the US fell from 4,24,000 in 2016 to 3,38,000 in 2024.
Despite remaining a key destination, the reduction reflects changing priorities among students, including cost considerations, visa policies, and alternative destinations offering comparable academic outcomes.
Canada Strengthens its Lead
Canada has emerged as the most preferred study destination for Indian students, recording a dramatic rise of 350 per cent in popularity. The country secured the top position in both 2020 and 2024, with 1.79 lakh Indian students in 2020 and a significant increase to 4.27 lakh by 2024.
Its appeal has been driven by a combination of post study work opportunities, immigration pathways, and relatively affordable education options.
United Kingdom Overtakes Australia
One of the most notable changes in 2024–25 is the United Kingdom moving into third place, overtaking Australia. Indian student numbers in the UK rose sharply from 16,559 in 2016 to 90,300 in 2020, before reaching 1,85,000 in 2024.
Australia, which had consistently held the third position since 2016 and 2020, has now dropped to fourth place. This shift occurred despite a modest increase in Indian enrolments, which reached 1,22,000 students in 2024.
UAE Makes Debut in top 10
For the first time, the United Arab Emirates has entered the list of the top 10 most preferred countries for Indian students. The UAE’s growing higher education sector, expansion of international branch campuses, and proximity to India have contributed to its rising appeal.
The country is increasingly viewed as a viable alternative for students seeking globally recognised degrees at comparatively lower living costs and closer geographic distance.
Emerging Destinations Retain their Positions
Russia, Georgia, and the Philippines have maintained their positions within the top 10 preferred destinations since 2020, although student volumes remain significantly lower than traditional study hubs.
According to the report, the diversification of study destinations reflects a growing preference for affordability, particularly in disciplines such as medicine and technology, where these countries offer competitive programmes.
A More Diversified Future for Indian Student Mobility
The 2024–25 trends indicate that Indian students are adopting a more strategic and diversified approach to studying abroad. Factors such as cost, employability, visa flexibility, and quality of education are playing an increasingly important role in shaping destination choices.
As global education landscapes continue to evolve, emerging destinations like the UAE are expected to play a larger role in international student mobility from India.
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