New Zealand’s international education sector is surging back to pre-pandemic strength, with enrolments climbing steadily and outpacing expectations. With over 73,500 enrolments recorded between January and August 2024—a 26% year-on-year increase—the country is on track to fully recover its international student numbers by 2025, according to data from the Ministry of Education and sector leaders.
The resurgence comes amid global shifts in student mobility, with New Zealand’s stable political climate, affordability, and strong education reputation making it an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional destinations like Canada, the UK, and Australia—many of which are tightening immigration rules or hiking fees.
From Collapse to Comeback
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, New Zealand’s international student numbers plunged from a high of 115,000 in 2019 to just 40,000 in 2022. But the sector has rebounded sharply. In 2023, enrolments jumped to 69,135—representing a 67% increase from 2022. The first eight months of 2024 have already surpassed that figure, suggesting momentum is accelerating.
“This strong growth in international student enrolments is a testament to New Zealand’s global reputation for high-quality education,” said Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds. “These students not only enrich our campuses but also significantly boost our economy, contributing to jobs, local businesses, and communities nationwide.”
Financial and Cultural Boost for Universities
Universities across New Zealand are reporting positive outcomes from the surge. Chris Whelan, CEO of Universities New Zealand, said around 20,000 full-time international students are currently enrolled across the country’s eight universities.
It “absolutely” is working, fiscally, Whelan told Mike Hosking Breakfast. “Obviously, money is only a part of why we do this; it’s great to see life back on our campuses, with the international students and what they bring.”
The economic impact is substantial. The sector contributed more than $3 billion to the economy in 2024 through tuition, housing, and related spending. This impact is not confined to major cities. Regions like Gisborne and Marlborough saw year-on-year growth of 126% and 45% respectively, showcasing the national breadth of the sector’s rebound.
Shifting Global Dynamics Give NZ an Edge
New Zealand’s revival is unfolding against the backdrop of tightening policies in competitor countries. “We are protected from a lot of the turmoil facing the rest of the world, Most of our competitor markets have policy settings that are making them quite unattractive now to international students,” said Whelan. “Canada … put a hard limit on student numbers… and they just haven’t had enrollment to get even close to their targets.”
While China remains the leading source of students at 35%, India accounts for 17%, with Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines also contributing significantly. Countries such as Nepal (up 94% in visa approvals), Sri Lanka (up 42%), and Germany (up 24%) have also emerged as fast-growing markets.
Sector Growth and Challenges
Universities now sit just 7% below pre-COVID levels, while primary and secondary schools, private training establishments, and vocational education providers are also experiencing strong growth. For instance, university enrolments rose 14% in 2024, while private training providers saw an 80% increase over the previous year.
However, rapid expansion has brought its own challenges. Immigration New Zealand has experienced delays in processing applications, and universities are facing resource shortages. Sector leaders are calling for increased investment in infrastructure and modernised delivery models to keep pace with demand.
The government has set an ambitious goal: growing the international education sector to $4.4 billion by 2027. Achieving this will require not only maintaining momentum but also ensuring quality and managing administrative bottlenecks.