New Delhi: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said that the country has recorded a 60 percent decline in the arrival of international students. This drop comes at a time when the Canadian government is taking various policy measures to control the number of foreign students and alleviate the growing pressure on housing and public services.
Indian students have been the most affected by this. In 2023, Indian students accounted for 51.6 percent of all international students studying in Canada; that figure has now dropped to just 8.1 percent. This shift is being viewed as a major transformation in Canada’s international education landscape.
Experts believe that interest among foreign students—particularly those from India—has declined due to stricter student visa regulations, caps on the number of study permits, and changes in permanent residency policies. Additionally, the rising cost of living and the housing crisis are also influencing students’ decisions.
Canada has long been a key destination for higher education among Indian students. However, following recent policy changes, many students are now considering options in other countries as well. Experts in the education sector suggest that the impact of these changes on global student mobility could become more evident in the coming months.
