Sharp Decline in Indian Enrolments in Big Four Destinations

Indian Students Rethink Study Abroad Plans in 2025

A Shift Away from the Big Four
Just a few years ago, the majority of Indian students heading abroad chose one of the “Big Four” countries—Australia, Canada, the UK, or the United States. Together, these countries hosted over 70% of all Indian students studying internationally, offering top academic institutions, post-study work rights, and immigration pathways.

However, recent changes in visa policies, cost of living, and work opportunities have made these destinations more difficult and expensive to access. Indian students—traditionally a cornerstone of international enrolments—are now facing:

• Tougher visa rules
• Stricter policies on bringing dependents
• Reduced post-study work options
• Rising tuition and living costs
• Greater uncertainty around immigration
• Currency fluctuations inflating overall expenses

Declines in Indian Enrolments
Data from the Indian government shows a steep year-over-year drop in students going abroad in 2024:

• Canada: -41% (from 233,500 in 2023 to 137,600 in 2024)
• UK: -28% (from 136,900 to 98,900)
• US: -13% (from 234,500 to 204,000)
• Australia: -12% (from 78,100 to 68,600)

Overall, Indian outbound student numbers fell nearly 15%, from 893,000 in 2023 to 759,000 in 2024.

Despite the decline, the Big Four still hosted about 72% of Indian students abroad in 2024.

What’s Driving the Change in 2025?
Stricter immigration policies in Australia, Canada, and the UK, along with political uncertainty in the US—particularly under Donald Trump’s re-election campaign—are pushing Indian students to reconsider their options. The weakened Indian rupee has also made studying in the US and other dollar-pegged countries more expensive.

• Sudarshan Motwani, CEO of BookMyForex, explains:

“Even slight currency fluctuations can significantly increase students’ expenses, making budgeting harder.”

• EduFund co-founder Eela Dubey adds:

“Rupee depreciation acts like hidden inflation—it raises the cost of studying abroad even when tuition doesn’t increase.”

• Maria Mathai of MM Advisory Services views the decline as a “market adjustment” rather than a retreat:

“Students are responding pragmatically. It’s a recalibration, not a collapse.”

She notes that students are asking more practical questions today—about job prospects, visa stability, and return on investment—rather than just university rankings.

Alternative Destinations on the Rise
While numbers fall in traditional destinations, Indian students are exploring new markets:

• Germany: +68% (from 20,700 in 2022 to 34,700 in 2024)
• Russia: +59% (from 19,800 to 31,400)
• France: +33% (from 6,400 to 8,500)
• New Zealand: +354% (from 1,600 to 7,300)
• Ireland: +49% (from 4,700 to 7,000)
• Uzbekistan and Bangladesh: Welcomed 10,000 and 8,900 Indian students respectively in 2024

Germany and France attract students with low tuition, quality education, and strong rankings. Both countries have 17 universities ranked in the QS Top 500 for 2025. France is aiming to host 30,000 Indian students by 2030, supported by French-language prep programs and 2,000 English-taught degrees. Indian master’s graduates also benefit from a two-year post-study visa in France.

Russia remains a popular and affordable option, especially for medicine and engineering.

New Zealand is gaining fast as the most welcoming Anglophone destination, offering post-study work rights, safety, and quality education. From January to August 2024, international student numbers there rose 24% year-over-year.

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