13.24 lakh left to study abroad in 2022; most from Punjab, AP, Maharashtra: Report

NEW DELHI: 1.3 million Indian students are estimated to be pursuing higher education from abroad by the end of 2023 as per a student mobility report. The One-Step Global University launched the “Beyond Beds and Boundaries: Indian Student Mobility Report 2023”.

The number of Indian students going abroad for higher education was 10.9 lakh in 2019 which grew to 13.24 lakh in 2022 marking a growth of 7 percent, the report stated. The report estimates that this number will hike to 20 lakh students by the year 2025.

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The top countries preferred by students for studying abroad are the United States (US), Canada, United Kingdom (UK), and Australia. However, other countries such as Germany, Kyrgyzstan, Ireland, Singapore, Russia, Philippines, France, and New Zealand have also emerged as preferred destinations.

The report found that students going abroad to study are mostly from Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.

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Among these students, around 60% are pursuing masters whereas 33% are studying bachelor programmes. 2% are studying diploma while 5% are doing professional certification.

Moreover, 8.5 lakh Indian students pursuing higher education abroad spent an estimated amount of 34 billion US dollars.

According to the report, the reasons for migration of students to abroad for higher education are newer courses, flexibility, better financial prospects, Indian education system, cost effectiveness, research opportunities, and more.