Number of international students increasing in other countries, too

According to various political parties, the Netherlands is drawing too many international students. The current coalition of PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB wants to curb that migration and has already imposed a cutback.

Nonetheless, some countries draw a relatively larger number of international students. A comparison by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows that the Netherlands is a frontrunner in this respect, but doesn’t lead the table.

Luxembourg
In Luxembourg, more than half of all students come from abroad. The country has always stood far above the rest in this respect, the comparison of the OECD between the years 2022 and 2013 shows.

Numbers two and three are Australia and the United Kingdom, which are both above the 20 percent mark. Austria, Switzerland and Canada also draw more internationals than the Netherlands. Internationalisation increased almost everywhere.

The decrease in New Zealand is mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as the lockdown lasted longer there. A significant increase can now be seen once again.

Photo: HOP

The United States stand out due to the fairly low percentage of internationals: about five percent. But at the top universities, things are different. At Harvard and Princeton, for example, it concerns a quarter of the total.