Preferred Study Destinations: USA, UK, Canada, Australia & New Zealand (2024–25)

Highlights from 2024

USA, UK & Canada: Significant Declines

• Indian student enrollments plummeted by approximately 40% across the USA, UK, and Canada in 2024, driven by stricter visa regulations, rising costs, and economic uncertainty
  The Times of India.

Breaking it down:

• Canada saw a staggering 41% drop, from ~233,500 to 137,600 students
  ICEF Monitor
  UniNxt Overseas Study.
• UK enrollment fell by 28%, from 136,900 to 98,900
  ICEF Monitor.
• USA numbers dropped 13%, from ~234,500 to 204,000
  ICEF Monitor.

Australia: Moderate Decline

• Australian student intake from India declined by 12%, from around 78,100 to 68,600 students in 2024
  ICEF Monitor.

New Zealand: Strong Growth

• In contrast, New Zealand witnessed substantial growth. While exact figures were not officially disclosed, multiple reports highlight New Zealand as a fast-emerging study destination due to flexible visa norms and improved post-study opportunities
  Times Kuwait
  Rediff.

Summary Table — Preference Shifts in 2024

What’s Driving These Shifts?

• Stricter Visa Policies & Rising Costs: Major study destinations such as Canada, the UK, and the USA have implemented more demanding visa criteria, increased financial documentation requirements, and limited post-graduation work options, making them less appealing for students with budget constraints.
  ICEF Monitor
  VisaVerge.
• Emergence of Affordable Alternatives: As traditional destinations became more restrictive, students increasingly explored options such as Germany, New Zealand, and even non-traditional countries like Bangladesh, Russia, and Uzbekistan, which offer lower tuition fees and simplified admission processes
  Rediff
  India Today.
• ROI-Focused Decision Making: Students are now prioritizing return on investment, employability, and post-study residency pathways rather than brand value alone. This shift is particularly visible among students from South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa who are more cost-conscious post-pandemic.
• Policy Stability Matters: Destinations offering clear, predictable immigration rules and transparent work rights—such as New Zealand—are gaining trust, while frequent policy changes in Western countries are creating uncertainty among applicants.

Final Take

In 2024, traditional “Big Five” study destinations—especially Canada, the UK, and the USA—experienced notable drops in international student interest due to policy tightening and rising expenses. At the same time, New Zealand and other emerging destinations benefited from this shift by offering affordability, stability, and clearer post-study pathways. For education providers and recruiters targeting students from South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa, highlighting flexible policies, strong employability outcomes, and realistic costs will be critical moving forward.

Read Our Other Helpful Guides

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• Post-Study Work Rights in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia – 2025 Comparison
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• Pakistan Student Visa Refusal Trends: UK & Australia (2022–23 vs 2024–25)