The two major destinations for international students have lost (some) ground according to Education at a Glance 2005, the latest edition of OECD’s yearly publication.

International student numbers in OECD countries have increased by 11.5 percent compared to the previous year and are now at 2.12 million (2003 figures). Like in the past year, Australia, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States remain the principal destination countries, with a joint market share of 70% of all international students in OECD countries. Over a five year period, the market share of the United Kingdom and the United States has however fallen by 2.7 and 2.2 percent respectively, while Australia’s market share has gone up by 1.5%.

The United States remain the leading destination, with about 30 percent of international students. However, the students come from different sending countries than in the past:

• Up to 37 percent less students from the Gulf states, North African and some Southeast Asian countries went to the United States. They preferred destinations in Europe – e.g. Denmark, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Slovak Republic and Sweden. Other preferred destinations were the Middle East (Jordan) and Asia (India and the Philippines).
• The losses were outbalanced by huge increases of enrolments from China (up 47%) and India (12%). See the executive summary page 5