Top Foreign Countries Indian Students Choose for Study Abroad: MEA Report

January 8 2026

Top Foreign Countries Indian Students Choose for Study Abroad: MEA Report

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) report highlights the top foreign countries for Indian students. It reveals which destinations Indian students prefer for study abroad and the foreign countries Indian students prefer. Published by the Government of India, the data covers both higher education and school-level students abroad. The report explains why some countries attract more Indian students and how policies and opportunities influence choices. Overall, MEA data provides a reliable guide for planning overseas education.

Overview of Indian Students Studying Abroad in 2026 (MEA Report)

The 2026 MEA report offers a clear picture of global Indian student mobility, providing detailed insights into both higher education and school-level enrolments. The MEA data on Indian students abroad helps families, counsellors, and policymakers understand trends, concentrations, and key patterns for informed decision-making.

Total Number of Indian Students Abroad

The MEA report reveals that 18.82 lakh Indian students are studying in 153 countries, covering both universities and schools. For the first time, school-level data has been included, offering a clearer view of early-stage international education trends. These Indian students abroad statistics help students, families, and policymakers understand the true scale of overseas education demand.

Higher Education vs School Education Breakdown

According to MEA data, 12.54 lakh Indian students are in higher education, while 6.28 lakh are at the school level, marking the first official inclusion of school enrolments. This breakdown provides a complete picture of Indian students abroad and highlights different trends for each group. These figures offer valuable insights for students, families, and policymakers planning overseas education and analyzing global mobility patterns.

Top Foreign Countries Preferred by Indian Students in 2026

When combining school and university enrolments, a few foreign countries clearly emerge as the preferred countries for Indian students to study, driven by education quality, migration pathways, and expatriate communities. Understanding these total enrolment rankings highlights where Indian students abroad are most concentrated and aids early-stage planning.

Top 3 Destinations Overall (School + University)

The top three destinations for Indian students abroad are Canada, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates. Canada is preferred for higher education and post-study work, while the U.S. attracts students for advanced degrees and research. The UAE ranks high mainly due to school enrolments, showing how both school and university trends shape the overall overseas education landscape.

Country-Wise Breakdown of Indian Students in Higher Education

A country-wise breakdown of Indian students in higher education offers clear insight into true academic migration trends, removing school-level influence and showing the impact of policy changes. It helps students and counsellors realistically compare stability, affordability, and opportunities, supporting informed decision-making.

Canada – Largest Hub for Indian University Students

Canada hosts around 4.27 lakh Indian university students, making it the largest hub abroad, attracted by academic quality, multiculturalism, and post-study work opportunities. Recent policy tightening has increased visa scrutiny, but demand remains strong due to long-term settlement prospects. Indian students form the backbone of Canada’s international student population, with policy clarity shaping future intake stability.

United States – Second Largest Destination

The United States hosts about 2.55 lakh Indian higher education students, drawn to advanced research, STEM programs, and global exposure. Visa uncertainties and post-study employment challenges influence long-term planning and ROI considerations. Despite valuing its academic reputation, students remain cautious, with policy predictability being a key concern.

United Kingdom – Decline After Policy Changes

The United Kingdom hosts around 1.73 lakh Indian university students, with demand affected by recent dependent visa restrictions and changes in post-study work options. While academic quality remains strong, policy uncertainty has slowed growth and made families more cautious. Indian students continue to enrol, but future trends will depend on regulatory stability.

Australia – Slowing Growth

Australia hosts about 1.38 lakh Indian university students, but stricter financial and compliance requirements have slowed growth. Despite strong institutional rankings, affordability and processing concerns make students more cautious. Future intake will depend on policy adjustments and continued evaluation by applicants.

Germany – Emerging Affordable Destination

Germany hosts nearly 49,483 Indian higher education students, attracting cost-conscious learners with low or no tuition and expanding English-taught programs. Its affordability, quality education, and transparent admissions make it a practical alternative to traditional destinations. Demand is expected to grow steadily as students continue to value these advantages.

Gulf Countries Dominate School-Level Enrolments

Gulf countries dominate school-level enrolments for Indian students, driven by large expatriate populations, family relocations, and the availability of Indian curriculum schools. This distinction from higher education trends explains their prominence in overall numbers and highlights different patterns in school versus university education.

UAE – School Education Drives Numbers

The UAE hosts about 2.47 lakh Indian school students, while higher education enrolment is much lower at around 6,500. Indian syllabus schools ensure continuity for expatriate families, making curriculum familiarity the priority and explaining the UAE’s high overall ranking despite limited university presence.

Other Gulf Nations with High School Enrolment

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman have significant Indian school enrolments, driven by long-term employment of Indian professionals. With Indian curricula dominating and limited university enrolments, these countries act mainly as schooling hubs, contributing substantially to overall numbers but differing from higher education destinations.

Role of Indian Expatriate Population

The Indian diaspora strongly influences school-level enrolments in Gulf countries, with family relocations for employment sustaining consistent demand. Educational continuity and community support ensure stability, explaining long-term enrolment patterns and shaping overseas school enrolment statistics.

How Inclusion of School-Level Data Changed the Overall Picture

Including school education data has changed the understanding of overseas education trends, sharply increasing total numbers while higher education followed a different trajectory. Separating school and university enrolments offers a balanced view, correcting earlier overstatements of university growth and improving clarity in interpreting total enrolment trends.

Why 2025 Numbers Appear Higher Overall

The inclusion of 6.28 lakh school students significantly raised total overseas figures, with Gulf countries contributing the most. This expanded reporting corrects earlier incomplete comparisons and highlights the importance of understanding the data composition behind enrolment trends.

Why University Enrolments Actually Declined

Despite higher total numbers, university enrolments fell to 12.54 lakh in 2025 due to visa restrictions, rising costs, and processing delays. This decline reflects cautious planning rather than reduced interest, with school enrolments masking the trend in overall figures, highlighting the need for university-focused analysis.

Countries Dominated by Schools vs Universities

Gulf countries are dominated by school enrolments, whereas Western nations mainly attract university students. Separating these categories prevents misinterpretation, enables realistic comparisons, and supports better academic decision-making.

Trends in Indian Higher Education Abroad (2022–2025)

Year-wise data from 2022–2025 shows Indian higher education mobility grew rapidly before entering a period of adjustment influenced by policy and economic factors. Understanding this timeline is crucial for future planning, as it highlights the sensitivity of student movement to regulatory changes and supports long-term trend analysis.

Growth Phase (2022–2024)

Indian higher education enrolments increased from 7.5 lakh in 2022 to 9.3 lakh in 2023, reaching 13.3 lakh in 2024.
Post-pandemic demand and flexible visa policies supported this significant growth.
Universities expanded intake capacity to accommodate rising applications.
In our experience, Indian student trends during this phase reflected strong optimism and confidence in overseas education outcomes.

First Decline in 2025

Enrolments dropped to 12.54 lakh in 2025.
Policy tightening, rising costs, and processing delays influenced student decisions.
Students became more selective and cautious while planning their overseas education.
In our findings, this decline marked a behavioral shift rather than reduced interest among Indian students abroad.

What Makes 2025 a Turning Point

Policy stability and affordability became central factors for students choosing destinations.
Long-term outcomes and return on investment gained priority in decision-making.
Risk assessment now strongly guides destination selection.
Year-on-year enrolment data confirms this strategic shift in Indian student trends, showing more careful planning for higher education abroad.

Why Are Indian University Enrolments Declining Abroad?

Indian university enrolments abroad have declined due to factors like diplomatic tensions, visa uncertainties, and rising costs. India–Canada tensions, stricter UK visa rules, and US immigration challenges have created uncertainty for students. In Australia, financial and compliance requirements have increased complexity and cost. As a result, students now prioritize destinations with stable policies, predictable outcomes, and affordability when planning higher education abroad.

What This Data Means for Indian Students Planning to Study Abroad

Official MEA figures provide practical insights for future applicants. Destination selection now involves deeper assessment of policy and cost. Volume alone no longer defines preference. In our experience, verified data supports realistic planning. Families benefit from understanding level-wise differences. This clarity reduces risk in overseas education decisions.

Shifting Preferences & Safer Destinations

Students are increasingly choosing destinations with stable policies and predictable visa processes.
Safety, political stability, and supportive campus environments are now key factors.
Popular traditional destinations are seeing some decline due to uncertainty and stricter regulations.
Indian students abroad are exploring new countries to balance quality education with lower risk.

Importance of Policy Stability

Stable visa and immigration policies strongly influence student destination choices.
Changes in rules or frequent policy shifts deter prospective applicants.
Predictable post-study work opportunities and residence options attract more enrolments.
Universities and countries with consistent regulations are preferred by Indian students abroad.

Rise of Alternative & Affordable Countries

Students are considering emerging destinations with lower tuition and living costs.
Countries like Germany, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia are gaining popularity.
Affordability, combined with quality education, drives this trend among Indian learners.
Indian students abroad are increasingly diversifying choices beyond traditional Western hubs.

Emerging & Alternative Study Abroad Destinations for Indians

Indian students increasingly explore emerging and alternative destinations beyond traditional Western countries, offering affordability, flexible visas, and quality programs that Indian students prefer for study abroad. For detailed guidance, explore our blog on Top Study Abroad Destinations for Indian Students, which highlights popular Study Abroad Destinations For Indian Students and provides insights for planning overseas education.

Germany

Germany attracts Indian students abroad with affordable tuition and high-quality programs across STEM, business, and humanities. Public universities offer scholarships and post-study work options, enhancing long-term value. Its strong global recognition makes Germany a cost-effective and reliable study destination.

Eastern Europe

Eastern European countries like Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary offer low tuition and living costs with widely available English-taught programs. Internationally recognized courses in medicine, engineering, and IT draw Indian students. Affordability combined with cultural exposure makes the region appealing.

Central Asia

Central Asian nations such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are emerging as budget-friendly education hubs. Low costs and programs in technology, management, and sciences attract Indian learners. Cultural immersion and growing international exposure add to their appeal.

Non-Traditional Education Hubs

Non-traditional study destinations are gaining popularity among Indian students seeking alternatives to Western countries. Affordable tuition, English-taught programs, and flexible visa policies are key attractions. These hubs offer cost-effective, quality education aligned with emerging global industries.

Key Takeaways from MEA Data on Indian Students Abroad

The latest MEA data reveals emerging trends in Indian student migration and overseas education. While students continue to explore global opportunities, their choices are increasingly shaped by policy shifts, safety, and career prospects.

Key Takeaways:

Canada remains the leading destination for Indian students in higher education.
The UAE’s high numbers are driven mainly by school-level enrolments, not universities.
Indian higher education abroad has declined for the first time since 2022 due to cautious decision-making.
Policy changes in destination countries significantly impact student mobility.
Indian students are increasingly selective, carefully evaluating universities before committing.

Conclusion

When planning education abroad, it’s important to know which foreign countries are most suitable for your goals. Trends show that Indian students prefer for study abroad are influenced by quality education, safety, and career opportunities. Staying informed about the top foreign countries Indian students prefer can make the decision easier. For personalized guidance and expert advice, students can consult Berakah Elite, the Overseas education consultants in Kerala, who help navigate the entire process smoothly, from selecting the right country to securing admissions and visas

Get in Touch Today with Berakah Elite and can get a callback from our experts to explore the best opportunities in foreign countries and plan your overseas education journey with confidence.

Author : Jasmin Joseph

I’m Jasmin Joseph, Regional Manager at Berakah Elite Education, with over 11 years of experience in international student recruitment and counselling. As a British Council Certified Counsellor, I hold an MBA in Human Resources, along with certifications from ICCC and ICEF.I have successfully facilitated student placements across the UK, US, Canada, Europe, and Asia, while leading our regional operations and business development network. My focus is on building strategic partnerships and providing tailored guidance to help students achieve their global education goals.