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Popular Countries of Origin for International Students in Australia

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Major Contributing Regions

North-East Asia emerged as the leading contributor, with 181,612 students, demonstrating the strong educational ties between Australia and countries like China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. China alone accounted for 157,835 students, marking it as the single largest source of international students.

South-East Asia followed closely with 96,206 students, with significant numbers from Malaysia (22,929), Singapore (18,416), Vietnam (29,838), Indonesia (12,385), and the Philippines (5,411). This region's contribution underscores the geographic and cultural connections facilitating educational exchange with Australia.

Southern and Central Asia contributed 115,979 students, with India (58,316) and Nepal (28,989) being prominent sources. This reflects the growing demand for Australian education among South and Central Asian students, who seek high-quality education and international exposure.

North Africa and the Middle East accounted for 11,675 students, with notable numbers from Iran (2,365) and Saudi Arabia (3,276), highlighting Australia's appeal across diverse cultures and regions.

Sub-Saharan Africa and The Americas also showed substantial enrollment numbers, with 13,328 and 13,011 students respectively. Kenya (3,383), Mauritius (2,396), and Nigeria (2,671) from Africa, and the United States (3,692), Colombia (1,802), and Brazil (1,968) from the Americas, stood out, indicating the wide-ranging international interest in Australian education.

Gender Distribution

The data reveals a balanced gender distribution among international students in Australia, with 225,543 females and 222,709 males, alongside a small number of unspecified gender totaling 300. This balance underscores Australia's inclusive educational environment, attracting both male and female students globally.

Regional Highlights

Oceania and Antarctica showcased diversity with 2,477 students, including those from neighboring countries like Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand, reflecting regional mobility. North-West Europe and Southern and Eastern Europe contributed 7,489 and 3,012 students respectively, with Germany (2,021), France (1,006), Italy (722), and the Russian Federation (732) being significant contributors. This highlights the European interest in Australian higher education and research opportunities.

Unique Contributors

While the bulk of international students came from Asia and Europe, unique contributions came from less expected sources. For instance, the Americas contributed 13,011 students, with the United States leading with 3,692 students, followed by Colombia and Brazil, indicating the broad appeal of Australian education across the Western Hemisphere.

Sub-Saharan Africa also made a notable contribution with 13,328 students, with Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, and South Africa being significant contributors, highlighting the global reach of Australia's educational institutions.

Data Table: International Students in Australia by Country of Birth (2022)

Region Country Males Females Unspecified Total
Australia 0 448 0 847
Australia np 448 < 5 847
Norfolk Island and Australian External Territories, nec < 5 0 0 < 5
Oceania and Antarctica 247 1,335 0 2,477
Adélie Land (France) 19 26 0 45
Chilean Antartic Territory 17 13 0 30
Fiji np 304 < 5 522
Kiribati 12 27 0 39
Nauru 14 27 0 41
New Caledonia 22 39 0 61
New Zealand 27 19 0 46
Papua New Guinea np 663 < 5 1,298
Samoa np 66 < 5 108
Solomon Islands 87 68 0 155
Tonga 13 21 0 34
Tuvalu 9 15 0 24
Vanuatu 15 30 0 45
Countries with fewer than 20 students 12 17 0 29
North-West Europe 1,430 4,326 0 7,489
Austria 54 72 0 126
Belgium 58 77 0 135
Denmark np 157 0 272
England np 631 < 5 1,102
Finland 51 109 0 160
France np 501 < 5 1,006
Germany 878 1,140 < 5 2,021
Ireland 63 81 0 144
Netherlands np 166 < 5 291
Northern Ireland 18 20 0 38
Norway np 722 < 5 1,128
Scotland 25 38 0 63
Sweden 151 286 0 437
Switzerland 99 130 0 229
United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man, nfd np 150 < 5 258
Wales 16 15 0 31
Countries with fewer than 20 students 17 31 0 48
Southern and Eastern Europe 448 1,711 0 3,012
Albania 15 28 0 43
Belarus 11 21 0 32
Bosnia and Herzegovina 12 16 0 28
Bulgaria 18 27 0 45
Croatia 15 17 0 32
Czechia 25 47 0 72
Greece 40 35 0 75
Hungary np 48 < 5 80
Italy np 368 < 5 722
Lithuania 19 37 0 56
Moldova 8 13 0 21
North Macedonia 28 51 0 79
Poland 65 129 0 194
Portugal 46 54 0 100
Romania 23 55 0 78
Russian Federation np 404 < 5 732
Serbia 24 30 0 54
Slovakia 22 29 0 51
Slovenia 7 20 0 27
Spain np 171 < 5 310
Ukraine 46 67 0 113
Countries with fewer than 20 students 24 44 0 68
North Africa and the Middle East 5,183 3,588 6 11,675
Algeria 18 16 0 34
Bahrain 54 45 0 99
Egypt np 207 < 5 728
Gaza Strip and West Bank 21 18 0 39
Iran np 1,201 < 5 2,365
Iraq 126 89 0 215
Israel 35 36 0 71
Jordan 309 121 0 430
Kuwait 281 202 0 483
Lebanon 254 np < 5 396
Libya 22 24 0 46
Morocco 57 65 0 122
Oman 240 152 0 392
Qatar 101 53 0 154
Saudi Arabia 2,024 1,246 6 3,276
Sudan 67 29 0 96
Syria 88 53 0 141
Tunisia 21 9 0 30
Turkey 232 np < 5 398
United Arab Emirates 1,185 np < 5 2,095
Yemen 43 22 0 65
Countries with fewer than 20 students 5 < 5 0 np
South-East Asia 42,642 52,378 11 96,206
Brunei Darussalam np 191 < 5 363
Cambodia 1,121 1,003 0 2,124
Indonesia 5,851 6,529 < 5 12,385
Laos 111 169 0 280
Malaysia 11,142 11,781 np 22,929
Myanmar 998 1,141 0 2,139
Philippines 1,819 3,574 np 5,411
Singapore 8,324 10,081 11 18,416
Thailand np 1,282 < 5 2,235
Timor-Leste 51 35 0 86
Vietnam 13,225 16,592 np 29,838
North-East Asia 84,134 94,606 110 181,612
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan) 75,320 82,404 105 157,835
Chinese Asia (includes Mongolia), nfd 17 23 0 40
Hong Kong (SAR of China) 6,063 5,012 np 11,085
Japan np 1,549 < 5 2,763
Korea, Republic of (South) 2,162 2,856 5 5,023
Macau (SAR of China) 298 339 0 637
Mongolia 267 565 0 832
Taiwan np 1,852 < 5 3,384
Countries with fewer than 20 students 7 6 0 13
Southern and Central Asia 65,024 47,472 0 115,979
Afghanistan 89 31 0 120
Azerbaijan 23 12 0 35
Bangladesh 3,986 np < 5 6,050
Bhutan 979 1,092 0 2,071
India 32,353 25,937 np 58,316
Kazakhstan 117 139 0 256
Kyrgyzstan 22 14 0 36
Maldives 135 148 0 283
Nepal 14,233 14,739 np 28,989
Pakistan 6,370 np < 5 7,738
Sri Lanka 6,581 5,287 np 11,876
Turkmenistan 15 7 0 22
Uzbekistan 105 42 0 147
Countries with fewer than 20 students 16 24 0 40
Americas 2,913 7,130 10 13,011
Argentina 154 172 0 326
Bolivia 26 27 0 53
Brazil np 1,179 < 5 1,968
Canada np 1,569 < 5 2,930
Chile 240 214 0 454
Colombia 819 979 < 5 1,802
Costa Rica 15 14 0 29
Ecuador np 73 0 141
Guatemala 16 22 0 38
Jamaica 15 16 0 31
Mexico np 328 < 5 657
Panama 15 9 0 24
Paraguay np 34 < 5 61
Peru np 219 < 5 434
Puerto Rico < 5 np 0 22
Trinidad and Tobago 12 19 0 31
United States of America 1,601 2,081 10 3,692
Uruguay np 25 < 5 38
Venezuela np 56 < 5 106
Countries with fewer than 20 students np 94 < 5 174
Sub-Saharan Africa 5,562 6,401 7 13,328
Botswana 110 68 0 178
Burundi 15 12 0 27
Cameroon 37 25 0 62
Congo, Democratic Republic of 44 19 0 63
Côte d'Ivoire 18 11 0 29
Ethiopia 240 30 0 270
Ghana 341 np < 5 495
Kenya 1,438 1,938 7 3,383
Madagascar 24 36 0 60
Malawi 33 41 0 74
Mauritius 1,090 1,306 0 2,396
Mozambique 24 25 0 49
Namibia 34 18 0 52
Nigeria 1,598 1,069 < 5 2,671
Rwanda 31 11 0 42
Seychelles 11 20 0 31
Sierra Leone 31 18 0 49
Somalia 7 28 0 35
South Africa np 630 < 5 1,257
Tanzania 76 64 0 140
Uganda 110 129 0 239
Zambia 117 119 0 236
Zimbabwe np 690 < 5 1,263
Countries with fewer than 20 students 133 94 0 227
Other 1,602 1,331 0 2,995
Not provided 1,602 1,331 < 5 2,995
TOTAL 222,709 225,543 300 448,642

References

Australian Government Department of Education, n.d., Education, viewed (13 February 2024), https://www.education.gov.au/.