New Delhi, Feb. 13 -- In 2024, 1.33 million Indian students were pursuing higher education abroad, nearly double the number in 2019. Of these, 1.07 million, or 80%, were in the 'big four' host countries: i.e., the US, Canada, the UK and Australia. Though China sends the largest number of students abroad, India has more students in the US, UK and Canada than China.

Indians spent $60 billion on higher education abroad in 2023. It is estimated that the count of Indian students overseas will hit 2 million soon and their total expenditure may reach $70 billion in 2025.

The numbers indicate high and growing demand among Indian students to study at universities of the Global North. What begins as education is often an opportunity to work there...