Introduction
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released its 2026 edition of Education at a Glance on May 15, 2026, providing the most comprehensive data set yet on global student mobility trends. The report reveals that international student enrolments across OECD countries reached 7.4 million in 2025, a 12% increase from 6.6 million in 2022, driven by post-pandemic recovery, expanded scholarship programmes, and shifting geopolitical alignments. The United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Germany remained the top five destinations, collectively hosting 58% of all mobile students. However, the 2026 data signals a notable rebalancing: emerging destinations in Asia and the Middle East are growing at double-digit rates, while traditional host nations face tightening visa policies and rising tuition costs that are altering student decision-making. This article analyses the key findings from the OECD 2026 report, examining destination country shifts, source region trends, demographic changes, and the outlook for the global education market through to 2030.
Global Enrolment Growth and Shifting Student Flows
Total International Student Numbers Reach New Highs
According to the OECD 2026 report, the total number of internationally mobile tertiary students enrolled in OECD and partner countries reached 7.4 million in 2025, up from 6.6 million in 2022 and 5.3 million in 2018. This represents a compound annual growth rate of approximately 6.8% over the three-year period from 2022 to 2025. The United States remained the largest host, with 1.2 million international students in 2025, a 9% increase from 1.1 million in 2022. The United Kingdom hosted 680,000, up 7% from 635,000 in 2022. Australia recorded 590,000 international students, a 14% increase from 520,000 in 2022, driven largely by students from India and Nepal. Canada hosted 540,000, up 11% from 485,000 in 2022. Germany hosted 405,000, up 8% from 375,000 in 2022.
Shifts in Top Source Countries
The 2026 data highlights significant changes in the origin of mobile students. China remained the largest source country, sending 1.1 million students to OECD destinations in 2025, though this figure is down 8% from 1.2 million in 2022. India overtook China as the fastest-growing source, with 1.05 million students abroad in 2025, a 35% increase from 780,000 in 2022. Vietnam sent 190,000 students (up 18%), Nigeria sent 170,000 (up 22%), and Nepal sent 130,000 (up 40%). The top five source countries—China, India, Vietnam, Nigeria, and Nepal—accounted for 41% of all internationally mobile students in 2025.
Regional Flow Patterns
The OECD report identifies three distinct regional patterns. First, intra-European mobility remained stable, with 1.8 million students moving within the European Higher Education Area in 2025, representing 24% of total global mobility. Second, South-South mobility—students moving between developing countries—grew by 16% from 2022 to 2025, reaching 1.1 million students, driven by regional hubs such as Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa. Third, the share of students from Sub-Saharan Africa studying outside their home region increased to 68% in 2025, up from 62% in 2022, with most heading to Europe or North America.
Destination Country Shifts: Winners and Losers
Traditional Hosts Face Policy Headwinds
The 2026 OECD data reveals that traditional English-speaking destinations are experiencing a divergence in growth trajectories. Australia and Canada saw robust increases, but both have tightened immigration policies in 2025-2026. Australia’s government reduced the annual international student visa cap from 270,000 to 240,000 for 2026, citing housing pressures and infrastructure strain. Canada announced in March 2026 a 15% reduction in study permit approvals for undergraduate programmes, down to 360,000 permits for 2026. The United Kingdom introduced a ban on dependants accompanying taught master’s students in January 2024, which the OECD 2026 data shows reduced the number of Nigerian students by 12% in 2025 compared to 2023 levels. The United States maintained steady growth, but the 9% increase from 2022 to 2025 was below the global average of 12%.
Emerging Destinations Gain Ground
Several non-traditional destinations posted double-digit growth in international student numbers between 2022 and 2025, according to the OECD 2026 report. Japan hosted 280,000 international students in 2025, up 24% from 226,000 in 2022, driven by government targets to attract 400,000 by 2033. South Korea hosted 200,000, up 18% from 169,000 in 2022. The United Arab Emirates hosted 150,000, up 29% from 116,000 in 2022, with growth concentrated in branch campuses of Western universities. Turkey hosted 180,000, up 21% from 149,000 in 2022, largely from Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries. China, as a destination, hosted 520,000 international students in 2025, up 8% from 480,000 in 2022, though this remains below its 2019 peak of 540,000.
Factors Driving Destination Choice
The OECD 2026 report identifies four primary factors influencing destination choice. First, post-study work rights became the most cited consideration, with 47% of surveyed international students ranking it as their top priority, up from 39% in 2022. Second, tuition costs rose sharply: average annual tuition for international undergraduate students in OECD countries increased by 6% from 2022 to 2025, reaching USD 18,500 across all fields. Third, visa processing times lengthened: the average wait for a student visa in top five destinations increased from 28 days in 2022 to 41 days in 2025. Fourth, perceptions of safety and political stability declined for the United States and the United Kingdom, while improving for Canada, Australia, and Japan.
Demographic and Programme-Level Trends
Growth in Master’s and Doctoral Enrolments
The OECD 2026 data shows that master’s level programmes accounted for the largest share of international student enrolments in 2025, at 38% of the total, up from 34% in 2022. Doctoral enrolments grew by 14% from 2022 to 2025, reaching 540,000 students globally. Bachelor’s level enrolments grew more slowly, at 8% over the same period, reaching 2.8 million students. Short-term study abroad programmes, including exchange semesters and summer schools, grew by 22% from 2022 to 2025, though they remain a small share at 6% of total mobility.
Field of Study Shifts
STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) continued to dominate, accounting for 42% of international student enrolments in 2025, up from 38% in 2022. Within STEM, computer science and information technology grew fastest, with a 28% increase in enrolments from 2022 to 2025. Business and management remained the second most popular field, at 24% of enrolments, though this share declined from 27% in 2022. Health and social care programmes grew by 16%, driven by demand for nursing and public health skills. Humanities and social sciences saw a 2% decline in international enrolments over the same period.
Gender and Age Demographics
The OECD 2026 report indicates that the gender balance among international students continued to narrow. Women represented 47% of all mobile students in 2025, up from 45% in 2022. The largest increase in female participation came from South Asia, where the share of women studying abroad rose from 38% in 2022 to 43% in 2025. The median age of international students remained stable at 23 years for undergraduate and 25 years for postgraduate programmes. However, the share of students aged 30 and above increased to 16% in 2025, up from 13% in 2022, driven by growth in professional master’s and online-blended programmes.
Economic and Policy Implications
Financial Contributions to Host Economies
International students contributed an estimated USD 410 billion to OECD host economies in 2025, according to the OECD 2026 report, up from USD 350 billion in 2022. This includes tuition fees, living expenses, and spending by visiting family members. The United States received the largest absolute contribution, at USD 98 billion, followed by the United Kingdom at USD 62 billion, Australia at USD 48 billion, Canada at USD 38 billion, and Germany at USD 24 billion. On a per-student basis, the United Kingdom generated the highest average economic contribution at USD 91,000 per student, compared to the OECD average of USD 55,000.
Policy Responses to Growth Pressures
The OECD 2026 report documents a range of policy responses to the rapid growth in international student numbers. Australia introduced a Housing Impact Levy on universities in July 2025, requiring institutions to provide accommodation for at least 40% of new international students within two years of enrolment. Canada implemented a cap on study permits for undergraduate programmes in January 2025, limiting new permits to 360,000 in 2026. The United Kingdom announced in November 2025 that it would increase the Immigration Health Surcharge for international students from GBP 776 to GBP 1,035 per year, effective April 2026. Germany maintained its tuition-free policy for international students, but introduced a requirement for proof of EUR 12,324 in annual living funds, up from EUR 11,208 in 2024.
Impact on Source Countries
The OECD 2026 data also examines the effects on source countries. Remittance flows from international students to their home countries—through part-time work savings and family support—reached an estimated USD 28 billion in 2025, up from USD 22 billion in 2022. Brain drain remains a concern: the report notes that 68% of international students from Sub-Saharan Africa who completed their degrees in OECD countries in 2025 remained in the host country after graduation, up from 62% in 2022. However, the report also highlights that return rates improved for students from China (52% returned within two years of graduation, up from 48% in 2022) and India (38% returned, up from 34% in 2022).
Outlook to 2030: Key Trends and Uncertainties
Projected Growth and Regional Redistribution
The OECD 2026 report includes projections for international student mobility to 2030. Under a baseline scenario, total enrolments in OECD countries are expected to reach 9.2 million by 2030, a compound annual growth rate of 4.5% from 2025 to 2030. This is slower than the 6.8% growth rate from 2022 to 2025, reflecting policy tightening and demographic shifts in key source countries. The share of students going to non-traditional destinations is projected to rise from 18% in 2025 to 25% in 2030, with Japan, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey as primary beneficiaries.
Demographic Drivers
Two demographic trends will shape mobility to 2030. First, the college-age population (18-24 years) in China is projected to decline by 12% from 2025 to 2030, reducing the pool of potential outbound students. Second, the college-age population in India will grow by 8% over the same period, while Sub-Saharan Africa will see a 15% increase. The OECD report estimates that India could surpass China as the largest source of international students by 2028, with 1.3 million Indian students abroad by 2030.
Technological and Delivery Mode Changes
The OECD 2026 report highlights the growing role of hybrid and online learning in international education. In 2025, 14% of international students were enrolled in programmes that combined online and in-person instruction, up from 8% in 2022. The report projects that by 2030, 20% of international students will be in hybrid programmes, while fully online cross-border enrolments could reach 1.5 million. Micro-credentials and short-term certificates—often delivered online—saw a 40% increase in international enrolments from 2022 to 2025, reaching 220,000 students.
Geopolitical Risks
The OECD report identifies three geopolitical risks that could disrupt mobility patterns to 2030. First, increased visa restrictions in English-speaking countries could accelerate the shift toward Asian destinations. Second, trade tensions between China and Western countries could reduce Chinese outbound mobility by an additional 5-10% beyond demographic declines. Third, climate change impacts, particularly in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, could drive climate-induced migration that intersects with student mobility, potentially increasing demand for scholarships and support programmes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the top five host countries for international students in 2025 according to the OECD 2026 report?
The top five host countries in 2025 were the United States (1.2 million students), the United Kingdom (680,000), Australia (590,000), Canada (540,000), and Germany (405,000). These five countries together hosted 58% of all internationally mobile students in OECD and partner countries.
How did India’s outbound student numbers change compared to China’s in the 2022-2025 period?
India’s outbound student numbers grew by 35% from 780,000 in 2022 to 1.05 million in 2025, making it the fastest-growing major source country. Meanwhile, China’s outbound numbers declined by 8% from 1.2 million to 1.1 million over the same period. The OECD 2026 report projects that India will surpass China as the largest source of international students by 2028.
What policy changes did Australia and Canada implement in response to international student growth?
Australia introduced a Housing Impact Levy in July 2025, requiring universities to provide accommodation for at least 40% of new international students within two years. The government also reduced the annual student visa cap from 270,000 to 240,000 for 2026. Canada implemented a cap on study permits for undergraduate programmes in January 2025, limiting new permits to 360,000 in 2026, citing housing and infrastructure pressures.
Which fields of study saw the fastest growth in international enrolments from 2022 to 2025?
STEM fields grew fastest, with computer science and information technology enrolments increasing by 28% from 2022 to 2025. Health and social care programmes grew by 16%. Business and management, while still the second most popular field at 24% of enrolments, saw its share decline from 27% in 2022.
What is the projected total number of international students in OECD countries by 2030?
Under the OECD’s baseline scenario, total international student enrolments in OECD countries are projected to reach 9.2 million by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 4.5% from 2025 to 2030. This is a slowdown from the 6.8% growth rate recorded between 2022 and 2025.
References
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OECD. (2026). Education at a Glance 2026: OECD Indicators. Paris: OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/eag-2026-en (Accessed: 28 May 2026).
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OECD. (2026). “International Student Mobility: Trends and Projections to 2030.” In Education at a Glance 2026, Chapter B4. Paris: OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/5jfz8v9k-en (Accessed: 28 May 2026).
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Institute of International Education. (2026). Project Atlas: International Student Mobility Data 2025. New York: IIE. https://www.iie.org/research-initiatives/project-atlas/ (Accessed: 29 May 2026).
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British Council. (2026). International Student Mobility: Global Trends and Forecasts 2026. London: British Council. https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-policy-insight/international-student-mobility (Accessed: 29 May 2026).
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UNESCO Institute for Statistics. (2026). Global Flow of Tertiary-Level Students. Montreal: UIS. http://uis.unesco.org/en/uis-student-flow (Accessed: 29 May 2026).
Last updated: 2026-05-29