In the academic year of 2023 to 2024, the total number of international students in the United States reached a record-breaking 1.1 million, representing a 7% increase from the previous year. Of these, India surpassed China for the first time since 2009, becoming the largest source country of international students studying at American universities.
According to a report by “The Hill,” during the 2023-2024 academic year, the number of Indian students studying at American universities saw a significant increase of 23%, reaching 331,602.
At the same time, according to the Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education’s Open Doors report, the number of Chinese students studying in the US decreased by 4%.
One reason for the decrease in Chinese students studying abroad is due to geopolitical factors between the US and China, making it more challenging for Chinese students to study in the US. President Trump issued Presidential Proclamation 10043 on May 29, 2020, which banned individuals associated with the Chinese military from obtaining student visas or exchange visitor visas.
Additionally, returning students finding jobs in mainland China has become increasingly difficult, leading to a decline in the willingness of Chinese students to study abroad.
In recent years, the number of graduating university students in China has reached new highs. In 2024, there were 11.79 million university graduates, projected to reach 12.22 million in 2025. With a large influx of graduates entering the job market annually, the economy is slowing down, and job opportunities are decreasing. According to statistics by Professor Zhang Dandan from Peking University, China’s youth unemployment rate was as high as 46.5% in July 2023, with university graduates facing a high rate of unemployment, leading to decreased value of overseas degrees.
Furthermore, the promotion of xenophobic ideologies by the Chinese government in recent years has led to a reversal in societal attitudes in China. The difficulty for graduates with foreign-degree qualifications to find work upon returning to China, coupled with many middle-class families facing financial constraints, has caused many Chinese students to give up on studying abroad.
Most international students in the US specialize in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. Allan Goodman, CEO of the Institute of International Education, stated that this year’s record number of international students in the US reflects the country’s commitment to supporting bright talents and maintaining its position as a top choice for global students.
On the other hand, there is a growing trend of American students studying abroad. In the 2022-2023 academic year, over 280,000 American students pursued education overseas, marking a 49% increase from the previous year despite the ongoing pandemic. European countries such as Italy, the UK, Spain, and France are among the top choices for American students seeking international education opportunities.