Education organisations in the US are urging the government to develop a strategy to increase international enrolment and exchanges to pre-Covid levels.

The US economy has lost $12.1 billion over two years as a result of declines in international student numbers, NAFSA has calculated.

The number of international students enrolled at US institutions has begun to rebound after a pandemic-related drop, data from a US snapshot survey has suggested, while the Open Doors 2021 has shown a decrease of 15% in international student numbers during 2020/21. 

Covid-19 has resulted in a 50% decline in international students attending US intensive English programs in 2020, Open Doors data has revealed. 

The numbers of US outbound students joining study abroad programs for academic credit rose 1.6% in the 2018/19 academic year.

New international student enrolments fell 43% in fall 2020, a survey has revealed, while the Open Doors 2020 report has shown that total international students in the US has declined for the first time in more than a decade.

Most (88%) US HEIs anticipate that international student enrolment will decline in the 2020/21 academic year; 30% anticipate a "substantial" decline, reports IIE.

The latest Open Doors Report has prompted a mixed reaction, ranging from excitement about increasing educational exchange to concerns that new start declines are continuing.