New Zealand's international education sector continued its post-pandemic recovery in 2025, with enrolments increasing by 11% and the country strengthening its appeal among prospective students worldwide.
According to Education New Zealand (ENZ), the country hosted 92,580 international students in 2025, up from 83,425 in 2024. The latest figures bring New Zealand's international student population back to around 80% of pre-COVID levels.
The growth reflects continued momentum across multiple education sectors and increasing interest from both established and emerging source markets.
Universities lead enrolment recovery
Universities recorded some of the strongest gains in 2025, with international enrolments rising by 14% year-on-year. The schools sector also expanded, posting 10% growth compared with the previous year.
China remained New Zealand's largest source market, accounting for 34% of all international students, followed by India with 14%. Together, the two countries represented nearly half of the country's international student population.
Other major source markets included Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, the United States, Nepal and the Philippines.
ENZ Acting Chief Executive Dr Linda Sissons highlighted the growing importance of newer recruitment markets.
"Strong growth was seen in a small number of new markets including Sri Lanka and Nepal," she said, adding that these countries have been incorporated into Education New Zealand's market prioritisation and investment framework for 2026-27.
Nepal recorded one of the fastest growth rates, with enrolments increasing from 1,555 students in 2024 to 2,660 in 2025. Student numbers from Sri Lanka also rose significantly, climbing from 2,360 to 3,415.
Rising international recognition
New Zealand's growing enrolment figures have been accompanied by increasing international awareness.
A recent Global Brand Health and Awareness Survey found that 22% of prospective students now place New Zealand among their top three preferred study destinations. According to ENZ, this effectively achieves a target originally set for 2034 under the country's Going for Growth strategy almost a decade ahead of schedule.
The survey also showed that awareness of New Zealand as a study destination has reached 79% across key source markets, placing the country alongside many leading international education destinations.
Education New Zealand said expanding brand recognition across a broader range of countries is helping create a more diversified and resilient growth strategy.
Benefiting from shifting global demand
New Zealand's performance comes as several traditional English-speaking destinations are experiencing slower growth or declining international enrolments.
Recent international survey data indicate that student numbers have fallen across the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, with many institutions citing policy uncertainty and tighter immigration settings as major challenges.
Against this backdrop, New Zealand's steady recovery and increasingly diversified recruitment base suggest the country is strengthening its position within the global international education market.
As competition for international students intensifies, New Zealand's combination of policy stability, growing global visibility and expanding source markets appears to be supporting its continued recovery.
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