Chinese overtake Indians as largest student group in US

WASHINGTON - The Chinese with an over 18 percent student population have overtaken Indians as the largest group of foreigners pursuing higher education in the United States, according to a new report published Monday.

The number of international students at colleges and universities in the US increased by three per cent to a record 690,923 during the 2009-10 academic year, according to the annual “Open Doors” report by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

This year’s growth was primarily driven by a 30 percent increase in Chinese student enrolment in the US, taking their total to 128,000 students, or more than 18 percent of the total international student population, making China the leading country to send its students here.

Students from India increased by two per cent, a lower rate than in previous years, to a total of nearly 105,000. Indian students represent 15 per cent of all international students in US higher education, making them the second largest international group after China, the report said.

“The United States continues to host more international students than any other country in the world,” said Allan Goodman, President and CEO of the Institute of International Education.

Together, the top three sending countries - China, India and South Korea - comprise nearly half (44 per cent) of the total international enrolments in US higher education.

Canada, Taiwan and Japan each represent close to four per cent of the total international student population, with these top six places of origin comprising 56 per cent.

Among the other leading places of origin, the most notable decline was seen in students from Japan, with a 15 percent decline following a 14 percent drop the previous year. Japan is at number 6 this year.

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)