Canada International Student Statistics
(Updated 2023)
373,599 International Students
Canada is the world's third-leading destination for international students to get a higher education degree. With 807,750 study permit holders in higher education by 2022, the Canadian education system has proven to be of the highest quality. The benefits of studying in Canada as an international student include the affordability of tuition fees and living costs, along with the popularity of Canadian universities worldwide.
Quick Summary
There is a difference in international student enrollment between students enrolled in universities and those enrolled in colleges.
- The total number of international students in all education levels in Canada is 807,750 (study permit holders), including higher education.
- However, 373,599 international students are enrolled only in tertiary education in Canada.
- Of the total 807,750 study permit holders, 551,405 received a study permit in 2022 in Canada.
- India has the most study permit holders in 2022 in Canada, with 226,450 students.
- British Columbia has the highest number of international students with a study permit in 2022 (164,875), followed by Ontario with 411,985 study permit holders.
- The majority of international students in Canada enrolled in Universities in 2020/21, a total of 231,291, which is a decrease of 1.7% from the previous year.
- The majority of international students in higher education institutions in Canada in 2020/21 enrolled in a bachelor's degree, a total of 160,842 students, an increase of 3.7% from the previous year.
- Most international students are interested in BHASE subjects (233,577), whereas 133,776 international students are enrolled in STEM subjects.
- Of the 373,599 international students enrolled in Canada, 195,357 are male, 175,449 are female students, and 2,793 are of unknown gender.
Historical International Student Statistics in Canada
The total number of international students in all education levels in Canada is 807,750 (study permit holders), including higher education. However, the latest statistics for the 2019/20 academic year show 373,599 international students enrolled only in tertiary education in Canada.
- Significant growth in the number of international students in Canada occurred in the last decade.
- The number of international students in Canada has increased by 162.7% since 2010/11.
- From 2010/11 to 2015/16, international students increased by 61%, from 142,170 to 228,924.
- There is a 39.6% difference in international student enrollment between 2015/16 and 2018/19, from 228,924 to 341,964 students.
- International student enrollment in Canada increased by 13.6% in international student enrollment from 2018/19 to 2019/20.
| Year | Total International Students (Tertiary Education) |
|---|---|
| 2010/11 | 142,170 |
| 2011/12 | 158,106 |
| 2012/13 | 174,249 |
| 2013/14 | 199,059 |
| 2014/15 | 217,521 |
| 2015/16 | 228,924 |
| 2016/17 | 256,494 |
| 2017/18 | 296,496 |
| 2018/19 | 341,964 |
| 2019/20 | 388,782 |
| 2020/21 | 373,599 |
International Students in Canada on a Study Permit
International students who wish to study abroad in Canada must get a study permit. Canada requires all international students enrolled in any educational program — that lasts longer than six months — to obtain a study permit. The study permit holder can also work during the study period without a work permit.
- There are currently 807,750 international students across all study levels who have study permits in Canada.
- Of the total 807,750 study permit holders, 551,405 received a study permit in 2022 in Canada.
- From 2000 until 2021, the number of study permit holders has significantly increased by more than 400%.
- Starting from 2005 to 2015, the number of study permit holders in Canada increased by 106%, from 170,440 to 352,330.
- In 2019, Canada issued 638,280 study permits for international students —the highest number in two decades.
Here is a table showing the change in the number of permit holders in Canada over the years:
| Year | Number of Study Permit Holders |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 122,665 |
| 2001 | 145,950 |
| 2002 | 158,125 |
| 2003 | 164,480 |
| 2004 | 168,590 |
| 2005 | 170,440 |
| 2006 | 172,340 |
| 2007 | 179,110 |
| 2008 | 184,140 |
| 2009 | 204,005 |
| 2010 | 225,295 |
| 2011 | 248,470 |
| 2012 | 274,700 |
| 2013 | 301,545 |
| 2014 | 330,110 |
| 2015 | 352,330 |
| 2016 | 410,570 |
| 2017 | 490,775 |
| 2018 | 567,065 |
| 2019 | 638,280 |
| 2020 | 528,190 |
| 2021 | 621,565 |
| 2022 | 807,750 |
International Students in Canada by Country of Origin
- India is the first among the top ten origin countries of study permit holders in 2022 in Canada, with a total of 319,000 students.
- 100,010 Chinese international students received study permits in 2022.
- 32,425 international students with a study permit in 2022 come from the Philippines.
- After the Philippines, France ranks fourth in the top ten origin countries with the most international students in Canada, with 27,110 study permit holders in 2022.
- 21,645 study permit holders in Canada are from Nigeria, followed by Iran with 21,105 study permit holders, the Republic of Korea (16,500), Vietnam (16,130), Mexico (14,920), and finally, the United States with 14,465 study permit holders.
International Students in Canada by Destination Province
- British Columbia is the province with the highest number of international students with a study permit in 2022 (164,875), followed by Ontario with 411,985 study permit holders.
- In comparison, in 2021, the highest number of study permit holders in Canada were studying in Ontario (291,175).
- Quebec ranks third in the top Canadian provinces with the most study permit holders (93,370).
- There are 43,485 study permit holders in 2022 studying abroad in the Canadian province called Alberta.
- More Canadian provinces that host a significant number of international students with study permits in 2022 include Manitoba, with 22,070 study permit holders; Nova Scotia (20,850); Saskatchewan (13,135); New Brunswick (11,410); Newfoundland and Labrador (6,175), and Prince Edward Island with 4,485 international students.
- Other Canadian territories with fewer study permit holders in 2022 are Yukon, with 255 study permit holders, Northwest Territories (40); and Nunavut (10).
- 15,610 study permit holders in Canada have an unknown province/territory.
International Students in Canada by University Type
There are two types of universities in Canada: colleges and universities.
Universities in Canada resemble the majority of universities around the world, where they offer different degree-level programs in the academic setting. Whereas colleges offer specific course training meant for career-oriented students.
- The majority of international students in Canada enrolled in Universities in 2020/21, a total of 231,291, which is a decrease of 1.7% since the previous year.
- In comparison, 142,308 international students enrolled in Colleges, which decreased from the previous year by 7.2%.
- Since 2015/16, the number of international college students increased by 135.9%.
- On the other hand, the number of international students in Universities increased by 37.1% since 2015/16.
| Year | College | University |
|---|---|---|
| 2015/16 | 60,318 | 168,606 |
| 2016/17 | 76,698 | 179,796 |
| 2017/18 | 100,140 | 196,356 |
| 2018/19 | 128,334 | 213,633 |
| 2019/20 | 153,360 | 235,419 |
| 2020/21 | 142,308 | 231,291 |
International Students in Canada by Degree Level
- The majority of international students in higher education institutions in Canada in 2020/21 enrolled in a bachelor's degree, a total of 160,842 students, an increase of 3.7% from the previous year.
- In comparison, 45,438 international students enrolled in master’s degree programs in Canada, a decrease of 5.5% from the previous year.
- The degree type with the least international students in Canada is the Ph.D. level, with 22,083 students.
Here’s a breakdown by degree level:
| Degree Level | Total International Students |
|---|---|
| Post-secondary non-tertiary education | 22,812 |
| Short-cycle tertiary education | 104,343 |
| Bachelor's | 166,842 |
| Master's | 42,933 |
| Doctoral | 22,083 |
International Students in Canada by Subject Area
Between the two subject areas in Canada —STEM, and BHASE— the majority of international students are interested in BHASE subjects.
- The Engineering and Engineering Technology field attracts the most international students in STEM, a total of 133,776 students.
- On the other hand, most BHASE students are interested in Business and Administration, with 112,911 students.
- The least popular field for international students is Legal Professions and Studies, with only 2,124 students.
- An increase of 194.8% in international student enrollment occurred between in Business and Administration.
- Another significant growth —by 395.6%— in international student enrollment occurred in the field of Mathematics, Computer, and Information Sciences from 2010/11 to 2020/21.
STEM
The STEM subjects in Canadian higher education institutions are rather popular among international students.
- The total number of international students in top STEM subjects in Canada is 133,776.
- Engineering and engineering technology is the STEM subject with the highest number of international students in Canada, with 55,608 students.
- There are currently 46,827 international students enrolled in Mathematics and Computer and Information Sciences in STEM.
- Science and Science Technology is ranked third in the top STEM subjects for international students, a total of 35,160
BHASE
The various fields of study that fall under the BHASE category include business and administration, arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, trades, services, natural resources, and conservation, as the most popular.
- There are 233,577 international students enrolled in BHASE subjects.
- BHASE subjects include Business and Administration, one of the most popular for international students in Canada, with 113,418 students.
- The number of international students in Social and Behavioral Sciences is 41,016.
- Arts and Humanities are ranked third on the top BHASE subjects, with 36,330 students.
- 22,521 international students study Trades, Services, Natural Resources and Conservation.
- Health care is another popular BHASE subject for international students, with 14,952 students in total.
- 3,213 international students are enrolled in the field of Education and Teaching.
- There are 2,124 international students enrolled in Legal Professions and Studies.
*6,246 international students are enrolled in programs unclassified in any of the above-mentioned subject groups.
International Students in Canada by Sex
- Of the 373,599 international students enrolled in Canada, 195,357 are male, 175,449 are female students, and 2,793 are of unknown gender.
- 85,635 men, 47,088 women, and 1,053 international students of unknown gender are enrolled in STEM subjects in Canada.
- There are more women (18,570) than men (16,170) in Science and Science and Technology, whereas 417 are of unknown gender.
- In comparison, there is a significant difference in enrollment between male and female students in the field of Engineering and Engineering Technology, with 38,757 male, 12,780 female, and 252 international students of unknown gender.
- Similarly, 30,708 men, 15,741 women, and 381 students of unknown gender are getting a degree in Mathematics and Computer and Information Sciences.
- Contrary to STEM subjects, of the total 233,577 international students enrolled in BHASE subjects, 107,427 are men and 124,599 are women, whereas 1,548 are of unknown gender.
International Student Plans After Graduation
- According to a study conducted by the Canadian Bureau for International Education, the majority (60%) of international students studying abroad in Canada claimed to plan on applying to become permanent residents after graduation.
- Whereas 30% of the respondents were unsure whether they wanted to continue living in Canada as permanent residents.
- During the same study, 49% of the students said that they intended to work in Canada permanently after graduation, and only 3% claimed that they wanted to return to their previous jobs in their home country.