Canada tops in student deaths and popularity among 1.33 million Indian students pursuing higher education abroad: MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) disclosed that over 1.33 million Indian students are currently studying abroad, a number that has nearly doubled in the past six years. This significant increase highlights a growing trend of Indian students pursuing higher education internationally.

The MEA revealed the data In response to questions raised by Dr. John Brittas, Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha on July 31.

According to Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs, Indian missions and posts abroad are actively involved in supporting Indian students.

“Indian Missions/Posts abroad constantly engage with Indian students studying overseas and encourage them to either register with them or on the Global Rishta Portal. They organize welcome ceremonies for Indian students who travel abroad for the first time and brief them on security issues in the host countries,” said Singh.

“They also advise them to register with the Indian Missions/Posts and to regularly stay connected. Indian Missions/Posts use the aforesaid method to collect data of Indian students abroad through voluntary registrations. Indian Missions/Posts abroad also coordinate with the concerned authorities in the host governments to secure data on the number of Indian students studying overseas,” he added.

The latest data from the MEA indicates that 13,35,878 Indian students are pursuing higher education overseas in 2024, up from 13,18,955 in 2023. This represents a significant increase compared to pre-COVID figures.

In 2019, 6,75,541 students went abroad for higher education. However, the numbers declined in 2022 to 9,07,404 students, following a peak of 11,58,702 students in 2021.

The top five destinations for Indian students studying abroad are Canada, the USA, the UK, Australia, and Germany. The official figures show that Canada is the most popular choice, with around 4,27,000 students opting for its institutions.

The USA follows with 3,37,630 students, while the UK has 18,500 students, Australia hosts 1,22,202 students, and Germany accommodates 42,997 Indian students.

Enrollment figures for Canada have slightly decreased, with 4,27,000 students in 2024 compared to 427,085 in 2023. Similarly, the number of students choosing Russia and Ukraine for their studies has decreased, with 24,940 students going to Russia and 2,510 to Ukraine.

This is a drop from 23,515 students who opted for Ukraine in 2022.The MEA has not maintained state-wise data on Indian students studying abroad over the past five years.

However, Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh raised a concerning issue in parliament regarding the safety of Indian students abroad. He reported that 633 Indian students have died while studying overseas in the last five years. The causes of these deaths range from medical issues and accidents to natural causes.

According to the data shared by MEA, over the past five years, Canada has had the highest number of student deaths, with 172 cases. The US follows with 108 deaths, the UK with 58, Australia with 57, and Russia with 37.

Other countries with reported student deaths include Ukraine (18), Germany (24), Georgia (12), Kyrgyzstan (12), Cyprus (12), and China (8). These figures underscore the importance of thorough research into medical facilities and overall safety before enrolling in foreign institutions.

Despite these serious concerns, there appears to be a general lack of awareness among students and their families about the risks involved. Many students preparing to study abroad this year seem to be unaware of these potential dangers, highlighting the need for increased awareness and preparedness.

Ruchita Surve, one of the students, will be attending Humber College in Toronto, Canada, in the fall of 2024 to pursue a Masters in Business Insights and Analytics. She said she felt safe in Canada despite statistics disclosing otherwise.

“To ensure a safe learning environment in Canada, I researched crime rates, sought insights from current international students, reviewed the university’s safety resources and support services, and familiarized myself with local laws. I also chose secure accommodations and obtained adequate health insurance,” said Ruchita.

She added that Canada has a strong focus on law enforcement and crime prevention, with well-trained police forces and strict gun control laws. “I have read that the general crime rate in Canada is not high,” she added confidently.

Other students expressed as much confidence in their decision to study abroad.

Shivam Patel, who will be pursuing a Master of Professional Studies degree in Data Analytics at Northeastern University, Toronto, in September 2024, said that handling personal situations depends largely on the student's awareness and approach.

“It is a very personal thing. It depends on how much the student is aware of the situation and how she or he can manage it. For example, if we consider an accident, we need to understand why it happened. Did the student follow traffic rules? Was the student overspeeding, or were there other factors involved? Students cannot just stop going abroad because of the crime statistics," said Shivam.

Some students who are already studying in Canada are also concerned about medical safety but believe they are in safe hands. They claim that the institutions where they study are well-equipped medically.

Rutvik Pujara, a diploma student in business accounting at Sheridan College in Ontario, Canada, said that he never felt fear or even worried about the safety and security of me or my friends.

“The only incident I recall was when the political tensions between Canada and India became the talk on campus and made people around me feel concerned about their security. Besides this, nothing has really made me think of security,” he said.

Mohammad Nishat, pursuing a post-graduation diploma in Accountancy from York University, Canada, also shared his experience. He noted that he has not witnessed any road or public accidents but has observed occupational incidents among student friends working in restaurants and such outlets.

"I think most of the universities and public institutions are well prepared to handle emergencies. They are really quick, the paramedics and all,” said Nishat.

Nishat expressed that security in Canada is very good, allowing him to feel safe even when walking at night. He said, "Safety is also not an issue as long as we are at public places or public institutions, but at the workplace, it is an issue that is yet to be properly addressed for students.”

He said that as long as the diplomatic rift between the countries and other diplomatic tensions are not affecting the students, it does not influence their sense of security.