Rose from 128K (2009/10) to peak of 373K (2019/20), then declined 29% to 266K (2024/25). COVID, Proclamation 10043, and rising domestic alternatives all contributed.
Source: IIE Open Doors annual reports
Point-in-time student records. Peaked at 261K (Jan 2024), now 229K (Mar 2026).
India surpassed China in 2023/24 for the first time since 2009. The crossover is accelerating.
US declining, UK stable, Australia recovering post-COVID.
Japan (124K) and South Korea (84K) are major destinations. Hong Kong hosts ~45K mainland students.
Peaked at 89K (2018), declined to 52K (2025). China is now #2 behind India in Canada.
India overtook China in 2022/23 and is accelerating. China has plateaued at ~39K.
86.7% of Chinese students who completed their studies abroad have returned — 6.44M of 7.43M. 495K returned in 2024 alone (+19% YoY).
Proclamation 10043 (May 2020): Blocks F/J visas for Chinese grad students and researchers with ties to military-civil fusion entities. Est. 3-5K blocked/year.
2025 Rubio Visa Crackdown: Extended scrutiny beyond PP10043 list. Enhanced vetting for all Chinese STEM applicants.
Australia: Introduced enrollment caps in 2025. Chinese students affected but less than Indian/Nepali students.
Domestic pull: China's "Double First-Class" university initiative and growing tech sector offer increasingly competitive alternatives.
| Destination | Students | Year | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 265,919 | 2024/25 | -29% from peak |
| Australia | ~165,000 | 2024 | Recovering |
| United Kingdom | 149,885 | 2023/24 | -4% YoY |
| Japan | 123,485 | 2024 | +6.9% YoY |
| Canada | 99,650 | Dec 2024 | -30% from peak |
| South Korea | ~84,000 | 2024 | Stable |
| Hong Kong | ~45,000 | 2024 | Growing |
| Germany | ~38,600 | 2024/25 | -7% from peak |
| Singapore | ~25,000 | 2023 | Stable |
| Netherlands | ~5,500 | 2023 | Stable |