In recent years, more and more Indian students have been leaving their homeland to pursue higher education in foreign countries.
The Rise of Indian Students Abroad
The numbers are staggering and have reached an all-time high in 2024. If we look back just a few years to 2019, about 6.75 lakh Indian students moved abroad for their studies. Fast forward to 2024, and that number has nearly doubled to 13.35 lakh. This means that in just five years, the number of students going abroad for education has skyrocketed.
Why are so many Indian students choosing to study abroad? The reasons are many. Foreign universities often offer better facilities, diverse courses, and global exposure, which can be very appealing. Countries like Canada, the United States, and Australia are some of the top choices for Indian students. These countries have well-known universities that attract students from all over the world.
From 2019 to 2024, a total of 60,81,577 Indian students have packed their bags and headed to foreign lands to study. Among these, Canada stands out as the most preferred destination, with 17,86,825 students choosing to study there. The United States comes in second with 15,17,547 students, and Australia takes the third spot with 6,70,875 students.
Canada has seen a steady increase in the number of Indian students over the years. In 2024 alone, 4.27 lakh Indian students moved to Canada for their studies. The United States attracted 3.37 lakh students, while the United Kingdom, another popular destination, saw 1.85 lakh Indian students enrolling in its universities.
But the surge in student enrollments isn’t just about numbers. There’s a growing concern that is casting a dark shadow over these statistics. As more Indian students go abroad, the number of tragic deaths among them is also rising.
Tragic Losses Abroad
While the dream of studying abroad is enticing, it comes with its own set of risks and challenges. One of the most alarming trends in recent years is the increase in the number of Indian students who have died while studying abroad. These deaths have occurred due to various reasons, including accidents, medical conditions, and even violence.
In 2023, the situation was particularly grim. On average, one Indian student died abroad almost every second day. By the end of the year, the total number of deaths had reached 170. These were young lives, full of promise, cut short far from their families and homes.
The trend has continued into 2024. So far, 124 Indian students have lost their lives while studying in foreign countries. These deaths are happening at an alarming rate, and the numbers have only been increasing year after year.
Between 2019 and 2024, a total of 614 Indian students died abroad due to accidents or medical causes. Additionally, 18 students lost their lives in violent incidents during this period. These figures are a stark reminder of the dangers that can accompany the pursuit of education in foreign lands.
2024 has been particularly harsh, marking the highest number of deaths in recent years. Seven students have been killed, with four of these deaths occurring in Canada alone. In 2023, five Indian students were killed abroad, and four of those deaths took place in the United States.
The United States, which is one of the top destinations for Indian students, has seen a significant increase in fatalities. In 2023, 33 Indian students died in the U.S. due to accidents or medical reasons. This number has already risen to 37 in 2024. Similarly, in Australia, the number of student deaths has also increased, from eight in 2022 to nine in 2023, and now to 13 in 2024.
Canada, which has been the most popular destination for Indian students, has also seen a troubling rise in the number of deaths. In 2022, 41 Indian students died in Canada, and this number increased to 52 in 2023. Although there has been a slight decrease in 2024, with 31 deaths reported so far, the figures remain disturbingly high.
Shifts in Student Destinations
As the numbers of Indian students going abroad continue to rise, there have been noticeable shifts in the choice of destinations. Some countries have seen a decline in the number of Indian students, while others have become more popular.
Ukraine is one such country where the number of Indian students has significantly dropped. Ukraine has been embroiled in a war with Russia, which has made it a less attractive destination for students. In 2022, 23,515 Indian students moved to Ukraine for higher studies. But in 2024, this number plummeted to just 2,510. The ongoing conflict has undoubtedly played a major role in this sharp decline.
Russia, on the other hand, has seen a slight improvement in student enrollments from India. Despite the challenges posed by the war, Russia remains a destination for some Indian students. However, the numbers for 2024 are still lower than those seen in 2023.
China, another neighboring country, has also witnessed a significant drop in the number of Indian students. In 2019, at least 15,207 Indian students went to China for higher studies. But by 2024, this number had fallen to 8,580. Various factors, including geopolitical tensions and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, may have contributed to this decline.
While major destinations like Canada, the U.S., and Australia continue to dominate the list of preferred countries, some Indian students are also choosing smaller countries for their education. In 2024, 65 students moved to Sri Lanka for higher studies, while 2,134 students chose Nepal. Bangladesh, another neighboring country, attracted 8,534 Indian students.
These shifts in student destinations reflect a complex landscape where global events, safety concerns, and educational opportunities all play a role in shaping the choices of Indian students.
As the numbers show, the journey of Indian students abroad is a story of both hope and heartbreak. The allure of foreign education is undeniable, and the opportunities it offers can be life-changing. But the rising toll of deaths among these students serves as a stark reminder that the path to academic success in a foreign land is fraught with risks.
The statistics alone cannot capture the full impact of these tragedies. Each number represents a young life lost, a family shattered, and a dream unfulfilled. As more and more Indian students venture abroad, the hope is that their journeys will be safe, and their dreams realized without the shadow of tragedy hanging over them.
