New Zealand’s international education sector blooms

New Zealand’s international education sector is making a strong comeback, showing a 24% year-on-year increase and surpassing 2023 figures by 6%

Between January and August 2024, a total of 73,535 enrolments were recorded, exceeding last year’s total in just two terms

This significant increase in international student enrolments reflects New Zealand's global reputation for delivering high-quality education. These students not only take part in flourishing the campuses but also play a great role in the economy, contributing to jobs, local businesses, and communities worldwide.

Historical trends suggest enrolments will continue to grow till the end of the year, and these results are highly encouraging for education providers.

International education is not just about mere numbers—it's about building lasting international connections, promoting innovation, and placing New Zealand as a leader in education and research.

The new numbers of enrolments reflect both national recovery and notable regional growth compared to 2023. Gisborne saw an outstanding growth of 126%, while Marlborough grew by 45%, Hawke’s Bay experienced a 28% increase, and Waikato rose by 26%.

Universities and schools are also facing significant growth, with universities enrolling 31,345 international students, a 14% increase, and schools rising by 33% to 16,815 students, including a 69% growth in primary school enrolments.

Privately funded training institutions also saw an 80% increase compared to last year.

Diversity in source markets boosts the strength of the education sector. While China and India stand at the front row, enrolments have also grown from the US, Thailand, Germany, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines, each now contributing 3% of international students.

Every funded part of the sector has seen growth this year, with universities now just 7% below pre-pandemic levels, reflecting the resilience and adaptability of New Zealand’s education providers