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 MonitorUniNxt 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, though specific figures are not provided, it’s highlighted as a rising choice Times KuwaitRediff.

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Summary Table — Preference Shifts in 2024

Destination	2024 Trend Among South Asian Students
USA	Enrollment dropped 13%—visa challenges impacting demand
UK	28% decline—driven by cost and immigration policy shifts
Canada	Sharpest decline of 41%—visa tightening and application difficulty
Australia	12% drop—slower but steady decline
New Zealand	Marked growth—gaining traction amidst restrictions elsewhere

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What’s Driving These Shifts?

• • • Stricter Visa Policies & Costs: Western destinations tightened student visa rules and raised costs, making them less attractive ICEF MonitorVisaVerge.
  • Emergence of Alternatives: As traditional destinations cooled off, students began favoring alternatives like Germany, New Zealand, and non-traditional ones like Bangladesh, Russia, and Uzbekistan for affordability and simpler visas RediffIndia Today.

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Final Take

In 2024, traditional “Big Five” study destinations—especially Canada, UK, and USA—saw sharp declines in student interest, while New Zealand emerged as a rising alternative. If you’re targeting students from South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa, it’s wise to highlight emerging-friendly policies and growing programs in New Zealand and beyond.