Canada Is the Top Choice for Indian Students — Who’s No. 2? Study Abroad Data 2017–2024

Over the past eight years, the number of Indian students pursuing education abroad has seen significant shifts, shaped by global events, policy changes, and destination preferences. Canada has consistently emerged as the top destination for Indian students, thanks to its favorable immigration policies, post-study work opportunities, and welcoming environment. The United States holds the second spot, regaining momentum after a pandemic-era dip, while the United Kingdom ranks third, driven by relaxed visa norms and strong academic institutions. From a sharp decline in 2020 due to COVID-19 to a record high in 2023, the data reflects both the resilience and evolving aspirations of India’s outbound students.

Key Highlights: Trends in Indian Students Going Abroad (2017–2024)

1. Steady Growth (2017–2019):
   • The number of students going abroad increased consistently from 454,009 in 2017 to 586,337 in 2019.
2. Pandemic Impact (2020):
   • A sharp decline occurred in 2020, with the number dropping to 259,655, likely due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and global uncertainties.
3. Gradual Recovery (2021):
   • In 2021, numbers rebounded to 444,553, showing signs of recovery as international travel resumed.
4. Record High (2022–2023):
   • The trend peaked in 2023 with 892,989 students going abroad — the highest in the 8-year period.
   • 2022 also saw a significant jump to 750,365, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
5. Slight Dip in 2024:
   • In 2024, the number decreased slightly to 759,064, indicating a moderation after the peak in 2023 but still well above pre-pandemic levels.

Destination Trends (2017–2024): Canada Leads, Competition for Second Heats Up

Canada Leads Consistently:

• Canada has remained the most preferred destination for Indian students since 2019.
• The number peaked at 427,085 in 2023, maintaining nearly the same figure in 2024 (427,000), highlighting sustained popularity.

USA Holds Strong at #2:

• The United States has consistently been the second most popular destination.
• Student numbers rose from 193,124 in 2019 to 351,106 in 2023, with a slight dip to 337,630 in 2024.

UK Bounces Back After Dip:

• The UK saw a sharp drop in 2021 (only 12,000) but made a remarkable recovery by 2024 with 185,000 students.
• It remains the third most preferred destination despite fluctuations.

Australia Remains Stable:

• Australia experienced relatively steady interest, with numbers ranging from 96,000 to 124,829 between 2019 and 2023.
• In 2024, it hosted 122,202 Indian students.

Germany Gains Momentum:

• After a slight dip in 2023, Indian student numbers in Germany rose again to 42,997 in 2024, showing renewed interest.

New Countries attracting Indian Students

Suriname, Antigua & Barbuda, Qatar, Jamaica, Slovakia, Albania, Zambia, Belize, Chile, Tanzania, Botswana, Croatia, Malawi, Costa Rica, Mongolia, Fiji, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Namibia, Reunion Island, Guatemala, Cuba, and many more.