According to a press release from the New Zealand government, the country’s international education sector is rebounding strongly, up 24% year-on-year.
This keeps the country on track with predictions to make a full post-pandemic recovery by 2025.
Robust growth in international student enrolments
New Zealand saw 75,535 enrolments between January to August 2024, exceeding numbers recorded for the entirety of the previous year. Overall, the sector improved by 6% versus 2023 totals.
Universities and schools are significant drivers of this upswing. Universities enrolled 31,345 international students, a 14% increase (and now just 7% below pre-pandemic levels). Meanwhile, schools rose by 33% with 16,815 enrollees, including a 69% surge in primary school enrolments. Funded private training establishments also grew by 80%. According to Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds, every funded part of the sector experienced growth in 2024, “reflecting the resilience and adaptability of New Zealand’s education providers.”
Regional gains
New Zealand’s national recovery is underpinned by tremendous regional gains in international student enrolment from 2023. Gisborne documented a 126% uptick, while Marlborough leapt by 45%. Hawke’s Bay also rose by 45%, and Waikato by 26%.
Diversity in source markets
China and India lead in New Zealand’s list of source markets. But the country is also diversifying its international student cohort with more enrolments from the US, Thailand, Germany Sri Lanka and the Philippines – each now contributing 3% of the population.
Positive news for the NZ intled sector
New Zealand’s growing international student sector attests to the country’s global reputation for high-quality education. It also highlights the country’s attractiveness as an alternative for students looking outside of the Big Four, particularly Australia, as a study-abroad destination.
“With historical trends pointing to further enrolment increases before year-end, these are really positive results for our education providers. International education is not just about numbers – it’s about building lasting global connections, fostering innovation and positioning New Zealand as a leader in education and research,” said Simmons.
Get in touch with our business development experts to gain insights on international student recruitment in New Zealand and to learn more about our partner institutions in the region.
