Global international student mobility trends

Global demand for international education is rising, even as major destinations like the United States and Australia implement stricter visa regulations and tighter post-study work rules.

In India, student mobility has shown significant growth. NITI Aayog reports that the number of Indian students studying abroad increased from 11.59 lakh in 2021-22 to 13.36 lakh by 2024. Despite policy shifts, over 350,000 Indian students were enrolled in the United States as of February 2026, and more than 110,000 were studying in Australia between January and May 2026.

As traditional destinations become more difficult to access due to rising tuition and visa restrictions, Indian students are increasingly looking toward Asian nations such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia. These countries are attracting interest through affordable English-medium programs and strong economic ties. Additionally, global mobility trends show significant outbound movement from other regions, including Nigeria, which was noted as the world’s third-largest source of international students in 2023.