Which country is home to the largest international student population in 2026?

“In 2024, a record high of around 6.9 million students studied outside their home countries. Projections put that number above 10 million by 2030. And each year, their numbers grow. But where are these students going, and where are they from? Where exactly are the countries with the largest international student population? TL;DR? Here’s a summary: China and India send the most students; the US (1.1M), UK (686K), and Australia (566K) receive the most. Canada and Australia are capping visas; the US is declining under Trump-era policy changes. Germany is a growing alternative — tuition-free, 469K international students and rising. India is pivoting from sender to destination, targeting 1.1M inbound students by 2047. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is often regarded as the best school in the word. Source: Yuanda “Darian” Shen via Pexels Countries that have the largest international student population 1. US The US hosted the highest number of international students on record in the 2024-25 academic year, totalling up to 1,177,766 individuals, according to the Institute of International Education’s Open Doors 2025 report. India, China, and South Korea remained the top 3 places of origin for international students. The country remains the world’s most attractive destination for international students, as most of the world’s top universities can be found there. Although recent policy changes under President Donald Trump’s administration have resulted in the decline of international student numbers in the US, it remains by far the country with the largest international student population. The UK is home to the famed Russell Group schools, which comprise 24 prestigious public research universities in the United Kingdom. Source: Denis Sllovinja via Pexels 2. UK Great Britain and Northern Ireland hosting one of the largest international student populations in the world, even though numbers have fluctuated over the years. In the 2024-2025 academic year , 685,565 international students studied at UK universities, a drop compared to 2023-2024’s 732,285 international students. The UK has been the second most popular global destination for international students after the US, but it is now neck-to-neck with Australia in terms of student population. Similarly, the UK is home to prestigious universities and research-intensive institutions, prompting those interested in rigorous academics to pursue higher education there. 3. Australia The latest government report lists 565,601 international student enrolments in January 2026, a 9% decline compared to the same period in 2025. 58% of international students were from the following five student source countries: China (23% of international students) India (17%) Nepal (9%) Bangladesh (4%) Vietnam (4%) However, Australia may not hold second place for much longer, as the country is looking into cutting international student numbers, even slowing down visa processes once universities hit 80% of the government’s previously announced cap. 4. France In 2024-2025, 443,500 foreign students were enrolled in French higher education institutions. Foreign students stand for about 15% of student numbers in France. Morocco, Algeria, China, Italy and Senegal are the first countries of origin. Morrocco takes the lead, despite a decrease in number of Moroccan students (-3%). In second position, the number of Algerian students stays stable over one year (+1%) and increases by 18% over five years. 5. Japan As of June 2025, Japan’s Immigration Services Agency has announced that the number of international students in the country is 435,200. This is a 8.2% increase over the 2024 figures. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichim who stepped into office in October 2025, has highlighted the rising public concern about the rapid influx of migrants. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara has made a January 2026 announcement about increased language supports for incoming students and workers – as well as a doubling of the time needed to gain permanent residency. 6. Germany As of the 2025/26 winter semester, there are over 420,000 international students and doctoral researchers enrolled at German universities. Ever since the country introduced tuition-free education in 2014, international student numbers have continued to spike, showing steady growth throughout the years. Pair tuition-free universities with affordable costs of living, opportunities to stay on after graduation, and a diverse student population – it’s no wonder that Germany is gearing up to host one of the largest international student populations in the world. 7. China Many know China for the large amount of international students it produces. But in recent years, it’s shown to be a great study abroad destination itself. A total of 380,000 international students from 191 countries and regions were studying in China during the 2024–2025 academic year. The country has one of the largest education systems in the world, boasting 3,167 universities as of 2025, a higher education sector only comparable to the size of the US system. This number is expected to grow in the next decade or so, as China is now one of the fastest-developing countries in the world, home to the second largest economy. 8. South Korea According to data by the Korean Immigration Service under the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), South Korea hosted 314,397 international students as of February 2026. 238,905 individuals are believed ot be enrolled in universities and higher education institutions, with the remainder attending Korean language programmes. The country reached its “Study Korea 300K” project goal (aiming for 300,000 international students by 2027) two years ahead of schedule. 9. Canada Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, has long held the largest international student population in Canada. However, this volume of international students has presented some problems for the country, including high demand for housing than supply, healthcare struggles, and an overly-saturated market. As a result, a cap to international student applications has been introduced, cutting visa approval rates. According to Statistics Canada , since 2023/2024, the number of international students decreased 124,000 ( -2 9%), bringing their numbers back to about 300,000 in total in 2025/2026, which is similar to the level observed in 2021/2022. At a glance: Top countries with the most international student populations Country Students enrolled (latest data) Top Source Country US 1,177,766 India, China, and South Korea UK 685,565 India, China, Nigeria Australia 565,601 China, India, Nepal France 443,000 Morocco, Algeria, China Japan 435,200 China, Vietnam, Nepal Germany 420,000 India, China, Türkiye China 380,000 South Korea, Thailand, Japan South Korea 314,397 Vietnam, China, Uzbekistan Canada 300,000 India, China, Nigeria Note: It’s been reported that Russia may have anywhere from 395,000 to 430,000 international students, but Study International has not been able to substantiate this figure from an official source Why should you study in a country with a large international student population? Studying abroad is isolating. According to a study , 94% of students feel homesick during the first 10 weeks of university. Another study found that 96% of international students under the age of 40 experienced loneliness. That’s why it’s crucial to foster a sense of connection. “The very first thing to remember is that you are never alone in this boat,” a Cardiff University student writes. “You need to know that however bad you think that feeling is, you have got people to talk to or hang out with because they understand that emotion.” Especially if they’re in their first year , international students need to establish a sense of connection and community if they’re to find success. When they’re stripped away of their homebound social identity , finding people who share that same experience makes it easier to deal with the transition. In other words, making friends with other international students. Doing so doesn’t just lead you to a place where you can rediscover your identity; it’s a great way to break free from stereotypes and discover new cultures. You’ll meet people from different parts of the world, and gain an empathy for their lifestyles that you might not have had before. It also means you’ll always have someone to celebrate the holidays with. Countries with the most students going abroad The answer is China and India, the world’s two most populous nations. More than 1.2 million Indian students were enrolled in higher education abroad in 2025, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs — a 5.7% decline from 2024, when the figure was 1.33 million. China, meanwhile, had 1,021,303 students studying abroad for a degree in 2023 according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, with an additional 200,000 on exchange programmes . Their destinations? The US, UK, and Australia remain popular options, but many are also branching out to explore prestigious universities in Asia and Europe. Countries like: Netherlands: 131,000 enrolled in 2024/25 — (new enrolments dropped 5%) Spain: 149,280 enrolled in 2023/24 (+6.5% increase from the previous year) Ireland: nearly 45,000 enrolled in 2024/25 (10% increase year-on-year) The demand to study abroad remains strong in 2026 and beyond, as experts believe that China’s economy is one of the main reasons students choose to go abroad. The youth unemployment rate is high, and the younger generation is open to study abroad opportunities as they consider that a better option than attempting to break through bleak job prospects. Other countries with large numbers of students going abroad include Nigeria, Vietnam, Germany, and Uzbekistan, with around 100,000 students each. A foreign degree also offers a competitive edge in a saturated job market. Internationality is one of the six key employability drivers (specialisation, graduate skills, academic performance, focus on work expertise, social impact and leadership, and internationality) according to the 2023-24 Global Employability University Ranking and Survey (GEURS) . India’s rise as a destination for international students India is quickly emerging as a popular destination for international students, with long-term plans to attract up to about 1.1 million international students by 2047 . It has been reported that there are currently 58,000 international students in India, as of 2025. This is a shift, as previously India was seen mainly as a source of students going abroad rather than as a destination for them, due to the government’s emphasis on “internationalisation of higher education.” One key reason for this increase is that international universities are now opening branch campuses in India . For example, several UK and Australian universities, such as La Trobe University, Victoria University, Western Sydney University, and the University of Bristol, have announced plans to launch or expand campuses in Indian cities. These campuses offer globally recognised degrees, joint programmes, and exchange opportunities — often at a lower cost than studying overseas . Disclaimer: This article was last updated on May 14, 2026.

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