Nigeria has been ranked as the world's third-largest source of international students in 2023, according to a new report from UNESCO. The finding, part of UNESCO's first Higher Education Global Trends Report released on Tuesday, May 12, reveals that Nigeria accounts for five per cent of global outbound student mobility.
Top Source Countries
The report indicates that nearly half of all international students worldwide come from just ten countries. China and India remain the largest contributors, accounting for 37 per cent and 29 per cent of globally mobile students, respectively. Nigeria shares third position with Germany, each contributing five per cent. Together, the top ten countries account for 45 per cent of all outbound student mobility globally in 2023.
Growth in International Student Mobility
UNESCO notes that international student mobility has continued to grow despite disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of students studying outside their home countries has nearly tripled over the past two decades, increasing from 2.5 million in 2002 to 7.3 million in 2023. The organisation projects that this figure could rise to nine million by 2030.
Despite this rapid growth, UNESCO describes international education as still largely elitist, pointing out that fewer than three per cent of higher education students globally have access to academic mobility opportunities abroad.
Factors Driving Student Mobility
The report highlights several factors driving global student mobility, including economic conditions, the quality and capacity of domestic universities, visa policies, government support programmes, and post-graduation employment opportunities. UNESCO also notes that governments worldwide are increasingly introducing policies aimed at boosting outbound student mobility, with 35 per cent of countries now setting specific targets to increase the number of students studying overseas.
