New Zealand reports solid foreign enrolment growth for 2025
- The number of international students in New Zealand increased by 11% in 2025
- China and India remain the largest sending markets, but smaller markets, such as Nepal and Sri Lanka, recorded notable growth during the year
- A recent market survey indicates that nearly one in four prospective students now rank New Zealand among their top three destination choices
New Zealand's foreign enrolment grew by 11% last year, bringing the international student base in the country to 80% of its pre-COVID high point.
The latest data from Education New Zealand reports a total enrolment of 92,580 international students in 2025, up from 83,425 the year before.
Universities drove a lot of that growth in 2025, with higher education enrolments rising 14% year-over-year. The schools sector was another notable gainer, with 10% growth compared to 2024.
China, representing 34% of the 2025 enrolment, and India (14%) remain the two largest sending markets and together account for nearly half of all international students in the country. Other top sending markets include: Japan (9%), South Korea (4%), Sri Lanka (4%), Germany (3%), United States (3%), Nepal (3%), and the Philippines (3%).
“Strong growth was seen in a small number of new markets including Sri Lanka and Nepal," adds ENZ's Acting Chief Executive Dr Linda Sissons. "These markets have been factored into our market prioritisation and investment framework for 2026/27."
The number of Nepali students nearly doubled from 1,555 in 2024 to 2,660 in 2025, with enrolments highly concentrated in the PTE sector (private training enterprise). Enrolments from Sri Lanka, meanwhile, rose from 2,360 in 2024 to 3,415 last year, with Sri Lankan students more evenly distributed across universities, PTEs, and ITPs (institutes of technology or polytechnics).
The 2025 enrolment data follows closely on the heels of the findings from the latest Global Brand Health and Awareness Survey, which found that 22% of prospective international students now place New Zealand in their top three choices of study destinations. This effectively achieves, nearly a decade ahead of schedule, a target set for 2034 in New Zealand's Going for Growth Plan.
Commenting on the survey findings, Education New Zealand says, "The survey expands brand tracking beyond the traditional 'Big Four' markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, to a broader group of 11 global study markets, offering a clearer picture of New Zealand’s competitive position.
Across these markets, preference for New Zealand is growing across its priority markets, supporting a more diversified and resilient approach to growth.
Awareness of New Zealand as a study destination is high at 79% across key source markets, on par with leading European and Asian destinations."
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