An official press release by Education New Zealand highlights a remarkable increase in international student enrollments. In 2023, New Zealand saw 69,135 international student enrollments, representing a 67% increase compared to 2022 and 60% of annual enrollments in 2019.
Education New Zealand, a government agency dedicated to realising the social, cultural, and economic benefits of international education, reported that this surge showcases the country’s growing appeal as a study abroad destination. Linda Sissons, Acting Chief Executive of Education New Zealand, emphasised the factors contributing to New Zealand’s attractiveness, such as the quality learning experiences inside and outside the classroom and a safe environment.
She further stated, “New Zealand is a small country, and for many students, rubbing shoulders with people from other cultures gives them a greater understanding of the issues facing our complex world. In this time of fragile geopolitics, the melting pot of campus life can help build greater understanding and tolerance.”
The latest enrollment figures indicate that all education subsectors in New Zealand, except for wananga, experienced growth in international student enrollments compared to 2022. The university subsector saw the strongest recovery, with over 29,000 students, representing 86% of 2019 enrollments. Moreover, English language schools experienced the greatest percentage increase, with enrollments rising by 511% from 1,565 to 9,570.
Among the countries contributing to this growth, China remains the largest source market for international students, accounting for 35% of enrollments. India follows at 17%, Japan at 10%, South Korea at 5%, and Thailand at 4%. No other country represented more than 4% of total enrollments.
These figures underscore New Zealand’s successful efforts in attracting international students, reinforcing its position as a leading destination for quality education and cultural exchange.
