India vs. China: Comparing the Two Largest International Student Sources
Since the beginning of the 21st century, China has been the clear number one for global students in higher education. Its historical dominance was the largest single trend to influence recruitment strategy at universities across the globe. But times are changing, and doing so at a phenomenal rate. India is now a serious player, and in some of the globe's biggest study markets, it sends more students overseas than China.
This new competition between the world's most populous nations is reshaping how universities recruit talent. If you are a global education recruiter, consultant, or simply a student, this change is one to familiarise yourself with. Here, experts of Uninewsletter demystify the figures, explain why the change occurs, and analyse what it means for the future of the global international student market.
A Historical Overview: India vs. China in Student Mobility For over a decade, Chinese outbound student mobility has been speeding up and expanding steadily. Students are going abroad in massive numbers, driven by a growing middle class, the value placed on foreign diplomas, and the desire for international experience. Their ranks became so overwhelming in the 2010s that higher education institutions, particularly in the West, constructed their entire global recruitment paradigm around them.
Meanwhile, India's mobility of students was on a similarly strong but more gradually rising curve. While the numbers were not as large, they were steadily increasing, powered by a new generation eager for better-sounding professional opportunities and quality education. The wave began to build in the late 2010s. Through 2023, Institute of International Education (IIE) figures reported a turning point for America as India overtook China in international students for the first time in over ten years.
The Data Comparison: A Look at Student Numbers The latest statistics present a vibrant image of this changing trend. The number of international students from India in the U.S., according to the Open Doors 2024 Report published by the IIE, reached a record number of 331,602 during the 2023/2024 academic year, an astronomical 23% increase from last year. In contrast, the number of international students from China fell 4% to 277,398. One of the statistics shows how much the story has changed in one of the world's leading study destinations.
Other leading destinations also experience this phenomenon. In January 2023, the British Council announced that India officially became the UK's biggest sending country after witnessing a 73% increase in visa issuances in 2022. Canada and Australia have also seen an explosive growth in Indian student enrollments due to a mix of good post-study work policies and well-defined routes to permanent residency. These numbers are telling: the old story of India vs. China student numbers are rapidly becoming something of the past.
Why Indian Students Are Going Abroad in Record Numbers Student recruitment India growth is driven by a high level of "push" and "pull" factors.
Career and Post-Study Opportunities: Indian students exert very significant influence on career prospects and post-study work. They see an overseas degree, and in STEM areas in particular, as a guaranteed source of increased remuneration and global employability mobility. Pragmatism is an overwhelming incentive. An Emerging Middle Class: The fast growth of India's middle class has made education possible for many families. They are willing to pay for a foreign qualification in exchange for a secure future for their children. English Language Advantage: Indian students, being in such a huge population of English speakers, do not have as many language barrier issues in countries like the US, UK, and Canada. This renders the academic and social adjustment easier. Domestic Competition: India's massive higher education network cannot generate sufficient quality space, particularly in sought-after areas such as engineering and medicine. The high competition for scarce space is a decisive "push" factor compelling bright students to look towards alternatives abroad. For more on the role of geopolitics in determining where students study abroad, please read our blog article on how geopolitics shapes study abroad destinations . Why Chinese Student Numbers Are Slowing Though Chinese students abroad are still a giant presence, they have levelled off in growth and declined in some instances. The reason being that:
Geopolitics Issues: The new tensions in China with the U.S. have introduced an unpredictable environment. The effect is high visa screening, particularly among poorly protected STEM students, who have reevaluated and chosen other options such as Europe or in Asia. Improving Domestic University Standards: The Chinese government has largely invested in domestic tertiary education. Several Chinese universities are listed in the world rankings, and there are wonderful domestic options compared to ten years ago, when there were limited options. Post-COVID-19 Realities: The crisis introduced, in question, the problem of travel restrictions and being in a position to return home. In a society that is extremely big on family closeness, such issues have led some to stay closer to home. Implications for Universities and Recruitment Strategies The changing dynamic between these two markets has significant consequences for all who are involved in student recruitment China and student recruitment India. Universities can no longer depend on a "one-size-fits-all" strategy.
Diversification is the Way: Institutions relying heavily on the Chinese market are now seriously attempting to diversify their recruitment drive. India is the most viable alternative, but Vietnam, Nigeria, and Indonesia also feature in the limelight, making the global landscape more balanced. Targeted Recruitment: Recruitment activity should be segmented according to the particular motivating factors of Chinese and Indian students. Indian students are career-minded and are interested in post-study work, whereas Chinese students have historically been attracted to institutional reputation and research strength. Solicitation Shift and Visas: Governments and institutions should collaborate to devise more adaptable and attractive visa arrangements for students in these nations. This involves transparent communication of the post-study right to work and residency status, which are important to attract top talent from India. The Future Outlook: A Shifting Global Market The directions for the next decade are clear. India will continue to be among the primary generators of outbound student mobility, with a massive youth population and strong economy. Although Chinese growth has been tempered, it remains a robust source market, especially in the graduate and research segments.
The global international student markets of the future will no longer be led by a single nation but by the combined weight of India and China and by new, new source markets. World universities that realise these sophisticated, fact-based trends and adapt their strategies to suit will be able to attract the next generation of world talent most effectively.
For more details on making a strategic choice, see our guide to selecting the right university abroad , an accessible strategy for students navigating this uncharted terrain.
Conclusion
The comparison of Indian students abroad and Chinese students abroad highlight a profound and long-lasting shift in global higher education. India's fast growth is compelling China's long-standing leadership with economic, social, and policy factors for the first time. The message to policymakers and universities is unequivocal: the era of dependence on a single primary source market is past. The future of global education is one of diversification, measured adaptation, and close understanding of the special motivating factors of students from the most populous countries in the world.
26-05-2023
American University of Ras Al Khaimah 
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