India Tops as the Leading Sender of Students to the US in 2023-24

For the first time in 15 years, India has overtaken China to become the top sender of international students to the United States. The Open Doors Report 2024, released on Monday, revealed that over 3.31 lakh Indian students are currently pursuing their education in the US during the academic year 2023-24, marking a significant 23% rise from the previous year.

Key Highlights:

1. India Leads the Chart:
   • Indian students now constitute 29% of the total international student population in the US.
   • This is the first time since 2008-09 that India has claimed the top spot.
2. Record-Breaking Numbers:
   • In 2022-23, 2,68,923 Indian students were studying in the US. This figure has now risen to an all-time high of 3,31,602.
3. Comparison with Other Countries:
   • Top five countries sending students to the US (2023-24):
     • India: 3,31,602
     • China: 2,77,398
     • South Korea: 43,149
     • Canada: 28,998
     • Taiwan: 23,157
4. Growth in Graduate Education:
   • India remains the largest sender of international graduate students (Masters and Ph.D.), with a 19% increase, reaching 1,96,567 students.
   • Undergraduate enrollment from India also saw a 13% increase, with 36,053 students.
5. US-India Education Collaboration:
   • Eric Garcetti, US Ambassador to India, praised the growing educational ties between the two nations, noting a 50% growth in Indian students in the US over the past two years.
   • He highlighted that the relationship is based on shared values and aligned goals, which is now reflected in education.
6. Reverse Trend: Americans in India:
   • Interestingly, there has been a 300% increase in American students choosing India as a study-abroad destination, growing from 300 to 1,300 in 2022-23.

Women in STEMM Fellowship:

The report launch event, hosted at Johns Hopkins University, also announced the new Women in STEMM Fellowship to further academic collaboration and encourage women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine.

International Education Week (IEW):

The release of the report coincides with International Education Week, celebrating the global exchange of knowledge and the benefits of international education.