2022 Statistic: International Students in Canada
International Students in Canada
807,750 international students in Canada at all levels of study at the end of 2022
Where do inbound students come from?
- India 40%
- China 12%
- Philippines 4%
- France 3%
- Nigeria 3%
- Iran 3%
- Hong Kong 2%
- USA 2%
- Mexico 2%
- Colombia 2%
- Brazil 2%
- Japan 2%
- Bangladesh 2%
- South Korea 2%
- Vietnam 2%
At the end of 2022, Canada saw 43% growth over the previous five years and nearly 170% over the last decade.
Notable Growth in Top Sending Countries
- +112% Philippines (32,455)
- +73% Hong Kong (13,100)
- +60% Nigeria (21,660)
- +54% Colombia (12,440)
- +47% India (319,130)
Other Notable Growth Markets
- +269% Ukraine (7,150)
- +258% Nepal (7,745)
- +115% Peru (4,025)
- +94% Sri Lanka (5,205)
- +59% Cameroon (4,075)
- +44% Algeria (7,510)
Note: These figures represent year over year growth from 2021 to 2022.
International post-secondary students in Canada
College
- India 209,930
- Philippines 20,465
- China 7.755
- Mexico 6,885
- Brazil 6,555
University
- India 80,270
- China 72,235
- France 17.575
- Iran 16,350
- Nigeria 13,065
International students in Canada at Cégeps
- France 4,135
- Cameroon 390
- China 380
- Ivory Coast 265
- Morocco 250
International students in Canada by country and K-12 level
Primary
- India 8,085
- Philippines 5695
- China 3,470
- Ukraine 3.405
- Hong Kong 2,405
Secondary
- China 10,865
- South Korea 2,955
- Vietnam 2,765
- Germany 2,745
- Japan 2,560
Where do international students go?
- Ontario (411,985) 51%
- British Columbia (164,875) 20%
- Quebec (93.370) 12%
- Alberta (43,485) 5%
- Nova Scotia (20,850) 3%
- Manitoba (22,070) 3%
- Saskatchewan (13,135) 2%
- New Brunswick (11,410) 1%
- Newfoundland & Labrador (6,175) 1%
- PEI (4.485) 1%
- Northwest Territories (40) <1%
- Yukon (255) <1%
- Nunavut (10) <1%
Note: 1% of students did not identify an intended destination
Top three reasons international students choose Canada
- Canada’s reputation as a safe and stable country
- The reputation and quality of the education system in Canada
- Canada offers a society that (generally) is tolerant and not discriminatory
Work Permit and Permanent Residence
- 72.5% of international students plan to apply for a post-graduate work permit
- 60% of international students plan to apply for permanent residence in Canada
