India continues to play a vital role in Germany’s academic landscape, contributing around 49,000 students and 6,700 researchers to German universities, according to the latest report from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). This influx positions India among the top sources of international talent in Germany, as the country reaches record levels of global engagement with over 75,000 researchers and nearly 380,000 international students. Germany has now become Europe’s leading academic destination for international students and researchers, second globally only to the United States.
DAAD President Prof. Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee emphasized Germany’s appeal as a global academic hub, highlighting its expanding English-language Master’s programs that draw students and researchers from around the world. The country’s reputation as a premier location for science and research has been further bolstered by its surpassing of the UK in 2021 as Europe’s top host for international researchers, with nearly 4,000 foreign professors among them. Indian researchers represent the largest group, followed by those from China and Italy.
International student numbers in Germany continue to rise, with almost 380,000 enrolled this academic year, a 3 percent increase over the previous year. Germany’s international students now represent nearly 13 percent of the total student body, with over 114,000 first-year enrollments from abroad—a record high. India leads as the primary country of origin, followed by China and Turkey. The regions of North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, and Berlin host the largest numbers of these students, underscoring Germany’s robust support for its diverse and expanding academic community.
The DAAD report highlights that global student mobility has risen significantly over the past decade. While Germany’s numbers have increased, its own students are increasingly studying abroad, with Austria, the Netherlands, and Switzerland as preferred destinations. However, Brexit-related tuition hikes have reduced German student numbers in the UK. Worldwide, the United States and China continue to lead as the top destinations and sources of international students, respectively.
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World Statistics
In 2021, UNESCO reported that 6.4 million students were studying abroad, a substantial increase of 2.4 million, or nearly 60 percent, since 2011. The United States remains the top host for international students, with approximately 833,000 enrolled, while China holds the lead as the largest source country, contributing around 996,000 students globally. However, both nations experienced declines due to the COVID-19 pandemic: in 2019, the U.S. hosted 960,000 international students, and 1.1 million Chinese students were studying abroad.
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