Recent data reveals significant changes in the distribution of international students across top study destinations. Australia and Canada, once heavily reliant on their top 5 student source countries, have made progress in diversifying their international student populations. In 2023, Australia’s top 5 markets accounted for 55% of foreign students, down from 70% in 2019, while Canada’s top 5 markets represented 62%, a decrease from 67% in 2019.
The UK has seen an increase in reliance on its top 5 markets, with 60% of international students hailing from these countries in 2022-23, up from 45% in 2019. The US remains stable with 62% of international students from top 5 markets.
Other destinations, such as Ireland, France and Germany, have a more diversified international student population with less than half of students from top 5 markets. Chinese and Indian students remain crucial to the international education sectors with a significant proportion of students from these countries in top destinations.
However, new rules and regulations such as visa refusal rates and penalties for institutions, may impact diversification efforts. Emerging markets like Nigeria, Nepal and Pakistan, which contributed to diversity in Australia and Canada, are now facing challenges due to new rules.
Institutions are adapting by adjusting recruitment targets and limiting country lists. The Australian and Canadian governments have identified diversification of student source markets as a top goal, but it remains to be seen whether educators can continue to distribute their foreign enrolment across an expanded list of countries.
The data also shows that the top 5 markets account for a significant proportion of international students in the “Big Four” destinations, with the UK being the least reliant on top 10 countries. The reliance on China and India is particularly notable, with more than half of international students in Canada and the US coming from these countries.
As the international education landscape is changing, destinations must navigate these changes to maintain a diverse and vibrant student population. The impact of new rules and regulations will be crucial in shaping the future of international education.
