Number of International Students in New Zealand is Getting Closer to Pre Pandemic Levels in 2023-2024

New Zealand was the last to open its borders post the pandemic, it is a country that has always prioritized its people over anything else. It is also the reason that it is a developed nation and competitive globally with merely a population of 50 lac people. However, due to stringent steps taken, it had fallen behind massively in terms of the international education sector, it has slowly but surely started its recovery, if the 2023 survey numbers are anything to go by. Also, its public through surveys has supported maintaining the numbers of international students or increasing it, as it is seen as an increase in diversity in the country. About 80% of the public is welcoming international students, which in contemporary times is a huge flex, as most of the countries and their population are unclear and unwelcoming towards international students.

In 2019 the international enrollment was above 1 lac students, come the pandemic, the entire system turned upside down, and till the halfway point of 2022 the borders of New Zealand were closed. The sector was hit so badly that in 2022 only about 22,000 students enrolled, but slowly and steadily with the support of native people, the sector is getting back to its feet and hosted 70,000 international students in 2023. Universities and Schools dominate in terms of proportion of the total international students enrolled. While other sectors such as English Language Schools are still struggling to get back on their feet. Universities are back at 86% of their potential as compared to pre pandemic levels, overall average including other sectors is 60%. Schools have reached 60% of their pre pandemic potential while private establishments are at 58%, language training undertakings are still at 33% of their pre pandemic potential.

Across all nations, China has contributed most among countries in sending students to New Zealand. It has around 23,000 students in New Zealand, 64% of 2019 numbers. Whereas India has had a major dip when it comes to 2019 numbers. From 17,000 in 2019 India went to around 7000 in 2023 which is a 54% dip. However, when it comes to university numbers, India is right up there along with China. Chinese students in New Zealand Universities are at 15000, the same number approximately that was before the pre pandemic. While Indian students are also at 70% of pre pandemic numbers in New Zealand Universities. In 2019 approximately 3000 Indian students were enrolled in New Zealand Universities, today that number stands approximately at 2000, so India is slowly getting back to old numbers and normalcy.

2024 estimates of issuing about 24,000 first time Student Visas to New Zealand, which represents almost pre-pandemic numbers in terms of first-time issuances. This recovery has been possible because the local New Zealand people recognize how important international students are to their economy as students are helping local businesses. This genuinely creates a welcoming atmosphere for students and encourages them to choose New Zealand as their study destination. In countries like UK and Canada, the local public sentiment to international students is now of pessimism and negativity.

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