Did Over 13 Lakh Indian Students Study Abroad in 2024 According to NITI Aayog?
Synopsis
The surge in Indian students studying abroad highlights a growing reliance on foreign universities, raising questions about domestic educational opportunities. As more than 13.35 lakh students seek education overseas in 2024, the implications of this trend warrant deeper examination.
Key Takeaways
Over 13.35 lakh Indian students studied abroad in 2024 .
Canada emerged as the leading destination for Indian students.
Significant brain drain issue with 28 Indian students going abroad for every international student in India.
India has the largest higher education-age population globally.
International students spent nearly Rs 2.9 lakh crore on education abroad.
New Delhi, Dec 22 (NationPress) India is witnessing a remarkable trend in its educational landscape, with over 13.35 lakh Indian students pursuing higher education abroad in 2024. This statistic underscores the nation's increasing reliance on international universities, despite having the largest population of college-age students globally, as detailed in a recent report by NITI Aayog released on Monday.
According to the findings, the top five countries favored by Indian students for their studies include Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany.
In 2024, Canada emerged as the leading destination, hosting approximately 4.27 lakh Indian students. Following closely, the United States accommodated 3.37 lakh students, while the United Kingdom welcomed around 1.85 lakh Indian students.
Australia and Germany ranked fourth and fifth, with 1.22 lakh and nearly 43,000 Indian students, respectively.
The report also highlighted that India boasts the largest pool of higher education-age individuals, with nearly 15.5 crore people aged between 18–23.
These findings reveal a stark disparity in student mobility. In 2024, for each international student arriving in India, approximately 28 Indian students chose to study abroad, indicating a significant trend of brain drain.
Entitled ‘Internationalisation of Higher Education in India’, the report examined the influx of foreign students into India, utilizing data from 2021–22.
Despite the rapid increase in outward mobility, the number of international students opting for India remains relatively low.
As per the study, Canada, the US, the UK, and Australia collectively hosted around 8.5 lakh Indian students, who spent nearly Rs 2.9 lakh crore on their higher education during the academic year 2023–24.
The report further noted that certain smaller European countries have a significant share of Indian students. For instance, Latvia had the highest percentage, with Indian students constituting 17.4% of its international student body, followed by Ireland at 15.3% and Germany at 10.1%, based on 2020 data.
Point of View
It's essential to recognize the implications of this trend. The statistics reveal a growing reliance on international education, which, while providing opportunities for students, also raises concerns about the quality and accessibility of domestic higher education in India. The government must address these challenges to retain talent and ensure that our youth have viable options within the country.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Indian students studied abroad in 2024?
Over 13.35 lakh Indian students pursued higher education abroad in 2024 , according to a report by NITI Aayog .
What are the top destinations for Indian students studying abroad?
The top five countries include Canada , the United States , the United Kingdom , Australia , and Germany .
What is the significance of the brain drain issue?
The report indicates that for every international student coming to India, about 28 Indian students choose to study abroad, reflecting a concerning trend of brain drain.
What percentage of international students in Latvia are from India?
In Latvia , Indian students make up 17.4% of the international student population.
What was the spending of Indian students on education abroad?
Indian students studying in Canada, the US, the UK, and Australia spent nearly Rs 2.9 lakh crore on higher education during 2023–24 .
