Toronto:The number of students from India applying to study in Canada has witnessed a significant decline in the second half of this year. From July to October, the applications for new study permits dropped by nearly 40%, from 145,881 last year to 86,562 this year.
The falling trend is not attributed to the recent strain in India-Canada relations but is more likely linked to increased discussions about Canada’s treatment of international students. Reports suggest that international students, including those from India, have been sharing their hardships on social media, highlighting the high cost of living and unfulfilled opportunities promised.
The figures, verified by Hindustan Times from data sourced from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), indicate a shift in the trend of Indian students choosing Canada for higher education.
In August, Canada’s Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities, Sean Fraser, had indicated the consideration of placing a cap on the number of international students the country accepts as one of the options to address affordability concerns.
The decline is also reflected in the annual intake figures, with 2023 projected to have the slowest growth in years. Indians constitute nearly half of international students in Canada, making this decline particularly impactful.
This decline marks the first since the Covid-19 pandemic and is likely to be further compounded by growing tensions between India and Canada.
