Germany Attracts Record Number of International Students and Researchers

Germany has hosted more than 75,000 researchers and around 380,000 students from across the world, marking an all-time high in international participation, according to the German Academic Exchange Service’s (DAAD) most recent Wissenschaft weltoffen report. India remains one of the leading contributors to Germany’s worldwide academic community, with over 49,000 students and 6,700 researchers registered in German universities. China comes in second with about 5,900 researchers and 38,700 pupils.

Germany is now the second most popular country in the world, after the United States, for international scholars. International academics and students looking for top-notch education and research possibilities are drawn to the nation by its steadily expanding English-language programs, particularly at the Master’s level.
Germany’s position as a major center for talent from around the world was emphasized by DAAD President Prof. Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee, who said, “These numbers demonstrate Germany’s ongoing appeal and underscore the importance of international collaboration in science and education.”

The number of students studying abroad has increased by 60% in the last ten years, indicating a trend toward more global mobility. There are already 79,900 international students starting their studies in Germany in the 2022 academic year, a 3% rise from the previous year. Berlin, Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia are the most sought-after locations for international students in Germany. Turkey, which currently ranks third with about 18,100 students, has grown in significance as a nation of origin.

The number of German students studying abroad was constant at about 138,000 in 2021, despite Germany drawing record numbers of international students. Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland are the top destinations for German students.