India's inbound student numbers likely to rise 8 pc per year: QS report

New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI) India's inbound student numbers are expected to grow at approximately 8 per cent per year from an estimated base of 58,000 students in 2025, making it one of the fastest-growing study destinations globally, according to a QS report.

The 'Global Student Flows: India' report published by London-based QS is a comprehensive analysis of international student mobility in relation to India through 2030.

Now in its eighth year, the report draws on QS' proprietary flow-mapping technology, findings from the QS International Student Survey 2025 and World University Rankings data to present both inbound and outbound trends — alongside three future scenarios for higher education leaders to plan against.

"India's inbound student numbers are expected to grow at approximately 8 per cent per year from an estimated base of 58,000 students in 2025 — making it one of the fastest-growing study destinations globally.

"This growth trajectory stands in contrast to the tightening seen across traditional Anglophone destinations, where stricter visa policies and rising costs are redirecting prospective students toward more accessible alternatives," the report said.

South Asia remains the cornerstone of India's international student body, accounting for nearly half of all foreign enrolments. Nepal and Bangladesh together represent over 30 per cent of arrivals, with Nepal projected to grow at around 11 per cent annually.

Afghanistan, however, is a notable exception — visa approval constraints are forecast to limit its growth to under 1 per cent per year, reducing its share of India's international cohort, the report said.

"African demand is rising quickly. Student flows from Sub-Saharan Africa are forecast to grow at around 6 per cent per year, driven by large youth populations, limited domestic higher education capacity, and India's affordability advantage.

"Zimbabwe is a standout market, with projected annual growth of around 11 per cent — lifting it from India's seventh-largest African source country in 2024 to 6th by 2030. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is also a steady contributor, with UAE students expected to account for approximately 5 per cent of India's inbound population by 2030," it added.

India remains the world's second-largest source of international students, with over 800,000 Indians studying overseas as of 2024. However, combined enrolments across the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia — the traditional 'Big Four' — are forecast to decline at an average of 0.5 per cent annually through 2030.

"Indian students are increasingly turning to Germany, France, and the UAE as they seek more accessible and affordable pathways to quality international education. Indian students already represent the largest international cohort in both Germany and the UAE. This diversification reflects a broader maturation of India's outbound mobility landscape," it said.

The QS report also identifies three key challenges that Indian institutions must address to sustain momentum. First, while Indian universities have made progress in employer reputation — with the median employer reputation rank improving by 61 places since 2017 — academic reputation rankings have seen little improvement, and prospective students from the Middle East and the US cite institutional reputation as the primary factor in their decision-making.

"Second, a gap between employer reputation and actual graduate employment outcomes persists. A 2025 Mercer-Mettl report found that only 42.6 pc of Indian graduates are considered employable. The QS International Student Survey 2025 found that 50 pc of prospective students globally want universities to communicate more clearly about work placements and industry links — the second-highest marketing priority cited by students.

"Third, rapid expansion of international enrolments without commensurate investment in campus infrastructure, housing, and student support risks compromising the very student experience that underpins India's growing appeal," the report said. PTI GJS GJS KVK KVK