international students — Cyprus was third among EU member states for the number of tertiary students from abroad, with almost one in four in the country’s universities being an international student, according to Eurostat data released on Friday.
In 2023, the EU hosted approximately 1.76 million students from abroad pursuing tertiary-level studies, representing 8.4 per cent of the total student population. This surge in international enrolment highlights the growing appeal of European universities, with Cyprus standing out as a key destination.
International students: A Closer Look at the Numbers
Among the EU countries, Luxembourg leads with a remarkable 52.3 per cent of its tertiary education students being international. Malta follows with 29.6 per cent, while Cyprus boasts a significant 22.3 per cent. This indicates a notable trend towards the internationalisation of Cypriot universities, making them increasingly attractive to foreign students.
Comparative Analysis with Other EU Nations
On the opposite end of the spectrum, countries like Greece, Croatia, and Spain recorded much lower percentages of international students, at 3 per cent, 3.7 per cent, and 4.3 per cent, respectively. This stark contrast highlights Cyprus’s success in attracting a diverse student body.
Regional Trends in International Student Demographics
Interestingly, within the EU, the largest group of foreign students comes from other European nations. Slovakia, Slovenia, and Croatia lead this trend, with 91.3 per cent, 89.4 per cent, and 89 per cent of their foreign students originating from Europe.
In contrast, countries like Ireland and Finland see a significant number of students from Asia, with 45 per cent and 43.35 per cent, respectively. Germany and Italy also host considerable Asian populations among their foreign students, at 40.1 per cent and 36 per cent.
Shifts in Student Origins
France has seen a notable demographic shift, with over half (52.3 per cent) of its foreign tertiary students coming from Africa, a trend mirrored in Portugal where 42.1 per cent of foreign students hail from the continent. Meanwhile, in Spain, foreign students predominantly come from the Caribbean, Central, and South America, making up 46.7 per cent of the international student body.
