According to new data released by UNESCO, the number of internationally mobile students reached nearly 6.9 million in 2023, marking a 228% increase from 2.1 million students in 2000.
UNESCO data shows that Europe and North America continue to lead as preferred destinations. Hosting 4 million international students in 2022, the two regions account for more than half of the world’s total.
The share of international students in total tertiary enrolment also rose, from 2.1% in 2000 to 2.7% in 2022, underscoring the increasing internationalisation of higher education systems worldwide.
According to UNESCO, more students are enrolled in higher education now than ever before. Global higher education enrolment continues to rise with 264 million students in 2023, with the number of students in higher education around the world more than doubling over the past 20 years, increasing from 19% in 2000 to 43% in 2023.
However, UNESCO’s data highlights significant inequalities in access to higher education, with enrolment rates ranging from 79% in the highest-performing region — Europe and Northern America — to just 9% in Sub-Saharan Africa, based on 2021 data.
UNESCO also reports that women now outnumber men in higher education globally. Since 2015, the proportion of female students has increased across all regions. In 2023, there were 113 women enrolled in higher education for every 100 men.
Central and Southern Asia have made strides, increasing the ratio of women to men in higher education from 68 women per 100 men in 2000 to achieving gender parity by 2023.
In contrast, sub-Saharan Africa lags behind, with only 78 women enrolled for every 100 men in higher education.
The report highlights another stark disparity, with UNESCO data showing that refugee enrolment in higher education remained critically low between 2000 and 2023. As of October 2023, only 7% of refugees were enrolled.
A key barrier to refugees accessing higher education and jobs is the lack of recognition of their prior qualifications.
The latest UNESCO figures have been released coinciding with the Intergovernmental Conference on the Global Convention on Higher Education, taking place at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 24-25 June.
