Nigeria has been ranked as the third-largest source of international students worldwide, according to a new report from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The inaugural Higher Education Global Trends Report, released on Tuesday, reveals that Nigerian students accounted for five percent of all internationally mobile students in 2023, placing the country on par with Germany.
Outbound Student Mobility Trends
The report examines outbound student mobility, which refers to students pursuing higher education outside their home countries. UNESCO found that nearly half of all international students come from just ten nations, with China and India leading by a significant margin.
Data indicates that the number of Nigerian students studying abroad rose by 98 percent over four years, increasing from 71,753 in 2020 to 142,000 in 2023 across 21 major study destinations. This means Nigeria contributes five percent of the total global population of international students.
Top Source Countries for International Students
China and India are the top contributors, accounting for 37 percent and 29 percent of international students, respectively. The top ten countries are:
- China — 37%
- India — 29%
- Nigeria — 5%
- Germany — 5%
- Vietnam — 4%
- Uzbekistan — 4%
- United States — 4%
- France — 4%
- Pakistan — 4%
- Nepal — 4%
Together, these ten countries account for 45 percent of all international students worldwide in 2023.
Global Student Mobility Growth
UNESCO noted that global student mobility has expanded rapidly over the last two decades. The number of students enrolled abroad rose from 2.5 million in 2002 to 7.3 million in 2023, with projections reaching nine million by 2030. Despite this growth, fewer than three percent of higher education students globally study outside their home countries.
The report states: "Despite growth expectations, the proportion of higher education students benefiting from academic mobility remains low, just under three percent, underscoring the elitist nature of mobility as still only a privileged few individuals gain access to higher education opportunities abroad."
Factors Influencing Study Destinations
UNESCO highlighted that key factors influencing where students choose to study include economic conditions, the strength of local university systems, government scholarship programs, visa policies, and post-graduation work opportunities. The report also noted that 35 percent of countries now have formal policies aimed at increasing the number of students studying abroad.
