New OECD data show that Indian students are no longer clustering in the old English-speaking study hubs. After years of strong growth to the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, many Indian students are now eyeing Europe and Asia-Pacific destinations.
What did the OECD report find?
The OECD’s November 2025 International Migration Outlook provides the latest snapshot of global student flows. It confirms that India (alongside China) remains a dominant source country: in 2023, students from India made up 14% of all international tertiary students in OECD nations. However, this new data reveals that the “map” of Indian student destinations is shifting. The OECD report highlights a sharp slowdown in new Indian enrolments in the traditional Anglophone hubs in 2024. Instead, flows are rising to other parts of the world. The key point: India is still sending 1.8 million students abroad, but they are spreading out across a wider mix of countries than before.
Why are traditional study hubs losing appeal?
In recent years, major English-speaking destinations have tightened rules on international students. The OECD data show dramatic drops in new Indian student arrivals in these countries in 2024. For example, the United States and Canada each saw about a 39% decline, the UK 26%, and Australia 22%. These statistics follow policy changes such as higher minimum bank-balance requirements (US), national caps on study permits (Canada), limits on dependents and shorter post-study visas (UK), and stricter English/funding criteria (Australia). In plain terms, governments have been reducing student intakes to address domestic labour markets and migration concerns. The OECD describes this as a deliberate “policy recalibration”, as countries are balancing education exports against their own workforce planning.
The result is that the old “Big Four” (US, UK, Canada, Australia), long-favoured by Indian students, have become relatively less attractive. High costs, competitive entry requirements and uncertainty about work rights have cooled demand.
Which new destinations are on the rise?
Europe has emerged as the new classroom for many Indians. Countries such as Germany, Ireland, France and the Netherlands have seen surges of interest. These nations are actively courting international students with more English-language programs, low or no tuition, and clearer post-study work rules.
For example, Germany—historically free for EU students—now attracts many Indians in engineering, management, and applied sciences. Its combination of low fees and generous post-graduation work policies has fuelled “strong growth” in Indian enrolment.
Ireland and the Netherlands likewise position themselves as English-speaking alternatives within Europe, each offering two- or three-year work permits to graduates. France has also stepped up: its “Choose France” initiative provides additional scholarships and a simplified visa process to attract foreign students. Together, these countries present themselves as lower-cost, English-friendly options with tangible career opportunities.
Beyond Europe, the Asia-Pacific region is also gaining ground. Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand are now front-of-mind choices for some Indian students. Japan has introduced a one-year “job search” visa for foreign graduates of language and technical programs. South Korea emphasises work-study integration in its tech and innovation sectors. New Zealand recently reinstated post-study work rights (up to three years in priority fields) to attract talent. These policies have translated into rising enrolments: the OECD notes increases to Korea, New Zealand and other smaller OECD countries, even as the Big Four saw declines. In other words, countries on the fringes of traditional flows, once overlooked, are actively making themselves appealing to Indian students.
Are there other emerging corridors?
Analysis of UNESCO data suggests even more unexpected destinations are drawing Indian scholars. In 2022, UNESCO identified countries like Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, and Italy among the top overseas study destinations for Indian students outside the well-known “Big Four”. These choices may seem surprising, but they share common features: they tend to offer much lower tuition and living costs, as well as relatively open visa policies. For example, government programs in Kyrgyzstan and Georgia have actively recruited foreign students in fields like medicine and engineering, often at cut-rate fees. As one report notes, “many of these emerging destinations are typically more affordable, are often considered welcoming of international students, and offer a good quality education, increasingly in English.”
What does this mean going forward?
In short, Indian students are now exploring far beyond the Anglosphere. This diversification includes European “mid-tier” countries and even some small states in Central Asia. It reflects both push factors (restrictions in old destinations) and pull factors (new programs targeting foreigners). While each country has its own mix of incentives, the overall story is that the “global classroom” for Indian students is widening.
Visa ease and immigration outlook also matter greatly. While the US/UK track once often led toward permanent residency, that carrot is now smaller. Many students prefer certainty: a modestly restrictive but transparent policy is often better than a last-minute crackdown. European countries have been advertising more predictable rules and quicker enrolment processes. In this sense, the OECD report suggests we are seeing a form of “value-based migration” among students. Rather than migrate via the most famous routes, they seek a clear return on their educational investment. This trend may only strengthen as information spreads: digital tools now let applicants compare visa lengths, work possibilities and costs more easily than before.
For universities and policymakers, the flip side is that competition and opportunity have broadened. Countries in Europe and Asia are stepping up recruitment of Indian students, knowing they bring fees and skills. As the OECD report notes, India’s “global student footprint” is wider than ever.