Canada was reported to have 997,820 international students at the end of 2024, a 4% decline over 2023. Other sources report that number as an underestimate, the true number being potentially as high as two million.
As early as 1959, Canada's then-monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, said on Dominion Day (now Canada Day), in reference to cooperation and mutual help, "one instance of this is the number of students from India, and Pakistan, and the West Indies who found places in Canadian universities. This is an admirable plan and I hope that it spreads [...] If any of these students are listening to me, which perhaps they are, I congratulate them on the hard work and enterprise which has sent them here and send them my very good wishes."
The provision of international student education is considered to have non-monetary benefits, such as reducing xenophobia and cultural stereotyping by encouraging diversity, nurturing international goodwill and global civility, fostering intercultural and social connections among faculty and students, and promoting greater engagement in teaching and collaborative research initiatives.
According to the International Education Strategy published by the Government of Canada, international students are present in all levels of education, including primary, secondary, trades, and college and post-secondary education, with the largest number of international students enrolled at the post-secondary level. The number of enrolled students has been increasing steadily in all levels from 2015 to 2018, with the greatest rise in college attendance.
In 2016, the International Education Division of Global Affairs Canada launched the EduCanada brand, a collaborative promotional initiative involving the provinces and territories and the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada. That same year, credible allegations of the "callous disregard for academic ethics and standards in a scramble by Canadian universities and colleges to sign up international students" was reported, citing a 2007 UNESCO report alleging widespread corruption in higher education. Canada's global anti-corruption ranking was downgraded from No. 8 to No. 12 in 2018, noting fraud and educational integrity breaches.
The International Education Strategy for the period 2019-2024 included a commitment to diversify inbound student population and distribute the population more evenly across the country. To attract more international students, Canadian educational institutes offered English as a second language (ESL) programs and reserved specific international student scholarships.
A 2020 survey conducted by the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) found that 96% of international students endorsed Canada as a study destination, due to its quality education and its reputation as a safe, tolerant and multicultural country that celebrates diversity.
Some private institutions are revoking their admission offers to international students because they do not have the capacity to accommodate large volumes of international students. They sent out more acceptance letters, thinking that the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) would manage the numbers. In 2022, information obtained through the Access to Information Act showed a significant increase in the influence of Indian students. They were pushing Canada to support their individual, economic, and political goals. Indian international student activism with similar aims were highly active on social media. Although Canada aims to capture the economic benefits of its knowledge-based economy by providing education to international students, it faces challenges in delivering the necessary services ethically and becoming a transformative leader. Additionally, the sector is influenced by consultants who advise prioritizing appearances over implementing substantial changes.
From January 2024, reforms and caps on the numbers of international students have been rolled out due to the strain on housing and social services, and abuse of the program and students by individuals and institutions.
Statistics Number of students +Reported total student population by yearYearIRCCGAC2014326,120-2015350,130457,8282016410,400523,9712017494,525-2018558,957721,0002019642,480-2020527,195 -2021616,585 -2022804,370 -20231,040,985 -2024485,000 -
Figures for the international student population in Canada vary depending on the reporting agency. The IRCC only reports on the number of students with a valid work or study permit. Students who study for less than six months do not require a permit, which means that short-term students are not counted in IRCC statistics. The International Education Division of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) includes both short- and long-term students in their statistics, basing short-term numbers on data obtained from Languages Canada. By definition, this means that GAC numbers will be higher than those reported by IRCC.
The IRCC reports that , there were a total of 642,480 international students in Canada at all levels, representing a 13% increase from the previous year. Most international students are post-secondary students, with over 120,000 of college student permit holders reported in 2018 and the statistic released by GAC for 2018, reported 721,000 students. In 2022, there were 804,370 international students in Canada at year's end.
In addition to post-secondary education, Canadian high schools and primary schools also attract increasing numbers of international students. In 2000, GAC reported that there were 27,997 international students at the primary and secondary level. By 2010, this number had increased to 35,140. In 2017, CIBE, relying on IRCC numbers, reported 71,350 international students in the secondary and primary Canadian school systems.
The provinces with the highest international student populations are Ontario and British Columbia. In 2016, Ontario had the greatest number of international students in Canada, with 233,226 short- and long-term students representing 44.5% of all international students in the country. British Columbia had 145,691 students, representing 27.8% of the international student population. Quebec, Alberta, and Nova Scotia had the next three largest populations of international students.
Reduction in 2024 onward
An advisory panel assembled by Justin Trudeau's finance minister, Bill Morneau, in 2016, which included the founders of the Century Initiative, recommended Canada drastically increase immigration levels, focusing on business people and international students. The panel claimed higher levels of immigration would increase Canadians' income by $15,000 a year by 2030.https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/morneau-economic-advisory-panel-1.3814725 In January 2024, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced a cap of around 360,000 new permits, a decrease of almost 35%, in order to protect students from "bad actors" and relieve pressures on housing and services. In April, Miller clarified that the target was 485,000 approved study permits, but there was an allowance to accommodate existing students applying for an extension.https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2024/04/minister-miller-issues-statement-on-international-student-allocations-for-provinces-and-territories.html In September 2024, the government announced the cap would be lowered by another 10% for 2025 and 2026 to 437,000 permits.https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/inernational-student-permits-canada-1.7326996
By percentage
According to Maclean's, in 2016, the three universities with the highest enrollment of international students in first-year undergraduate studies were the University of British Columbia (31%), McGill University, (30.7%), and Bishop's University (29.6%). For graduate students overall, the universities with highest international enrollment were the University of Windsor (57.2%), Memorial University of Newfoundland (50%), and Concordia University (49.2%).
By numbers According to the CBC, in 2023, the post-secondary institutions accounting for the greatest numbers of international study permits were Conestoga College of Ontario (30,395 permits), University Canada West of British Columbia (13,913), and Fanshawe College of Ontario (11,706).
Demographics International students attending Canadian institutions are primarily coming from Asia and Africa.
Top 15 countries and regions sending students to Canada in 2024 are listed below. RankCountry/TerritoryNumber of StudentsPer cent of Total1188,63018.9%256,4055.6%326,5402.7%424,7602.5%513,7701.4%610,9501.1%710,5501.1%89,4400.9%99,2750.9%108,4850.9%118,3750.8%127,7800.8%137,0150.7%146,8550.7%156,5300.7%Others602,46060.4%Total997,820100%
Economic impact of students The large number of international students studying in Canada contributes significantly to the Canadian economy. According to Global Affairs Canada, the economic impact can be felt across the entire country. In 2015, expenditures by international students, including tourism associated with visitors to the students, was worth $12.8 billion; in 2016, that figure had increased by 21.2% to $15.5 billion.
Long-term international students spent an estimated yearly average of $33,800 in 2015 and $35,100 in 2016. This figure includes expenses associated with education, as well as unrelated discretionary spending, but excludes money spent by visiting family and friends. In 2015, international student education created or supported 140,010 jobs (118,640 full-time equivalent), and in 2016, that increased to approximately 168,860 jobs (143,150 FTE). By 2022, the Canadian government reported that the annual economic contribution of international students had increased to $22.3 billion, greater than exports of auto parts, lumber or aircraft.
International student spending in Ontario contributed $5.04 billion to the provincial gross domestic product in 2015; this figure increased to $6.35 billion in 2016. The expenditures of international students supported 62,737 jobs in 2015, and 79,034 jobs in 2016. British Columbia also experienced an increase in their GDP from $2.39 billion in 2015 up to $2.76 in 2016. Over the same period, jobs supported by foreign enrollment in British Columbia increased from 35,294 to 40,499.
The economic effects of foreign students studying in Canada can be profound and varied. When it comes to consumer spending, international students spend their money on a variety of items such as housing, food, transit, rent, and other living costs. As of January 1, 2024, students must prove they have $20,635/year in financial support to be eligible to study in Canada.
The notable growth in international students from India has led to escalated tensions with Canada's large Indian Canadian community, who claim that students are "stealing their jobs" and "causing violence" within the established Indian enclaves of the country.
Impact of post-secondary programs