The trend of Indian students migrating to English-speaking countries

Today, amid the growing technologies and easily accessible resources, it’s not surprising to feel as though the world is getting smaller by the day. From learning about a city and its people in some remote corner of the world, to travelling to a foreign land within a few hours, have all become commonplace for the people of the 21st century. To add to the list of surprises, the younger population around the globe are constantly moving and exploring newer realms. 

According to the data submitted by the Indian Ministry of Education in February 2023, there has been a 68% increase in student migration in India. While the number of students abroad was 40 lakh in 2012, it is expected to exceed 75 lakh by 2025. And when it comes to Kerala, India’s only state with a 100% literacy rate, there is a widespread trend of youngsters leaving the country. Recently, the Kerala High Court attributed the reason behind it to the lack of infrastructure and aesthetic appeal in Kerala’s cities. While Indian student migration is now not a rare phenomenon, we also have some data that validates the exposition. According to the date of the National Higher Education Survey, the enrollment ratio of students going to foreign countries has risen from 32.4% in 2016-17 to 43.2% in 2020-21. 

As said, the burgeoning trend among youngsters in India is backed by many reasons, including a desire for a better quality of life, better education and secure finances among others. If you too have been dreaming of leaving the country for good, we, as one of the leading international student migration services, could give you some understanding as to how your decision could change your life forever. 

Of all the people moving out of the country, a vast majority are headed to English-speaking countries as English is one of the official languages that are spoken widely by the public in India. Countries like the US, New Zealand, Australia and Canada witness more international student migration than other countries as the courses they offer at their educational institutions are widely recognised across the world. Secondly, it is easier to crack a standardised test of English language proficiency than to learn a third language at all costs. And thirdly, once you have finally moved into an English-speaking country, you wouldn’t struggle as much to learn its culture and ways and get along with its people, as in other non-speaking countries. 

Why choose New Zealand now? 

The trends seen in the migration of Indian students to foreign lands have never been linear. As an English-speaking country, New Zealand has lately become one of the most preferred countries among migrating Indians. The high quality of life in the country coupled with its varied and abundant job opportunities have brought New Zealand to the top of the list. It is also known for its minimal crime rate and a family-friendly environment that offers wonderful opportunities for exploration and travel. Its stunning landscapes are truly worth experiencing at least once in a lifetime and Kiwis, the natives of New Zealand, are known for their calm and friendly disposition. Moreover, the teaching standards and overall system of education of New Zealand are one of the most prestigious in the world, making it a great place to pursue higher education or provide education for your children.  A great location to settle in life with your family, New Zealand has even more off-the-record reasons that would entice you to stay and make you fall in love with life a little more than you’d imagine. 

Based on OECD, an international organisation that focuses on promoting policies to improve the economic and social well-being of people in the world, many factors make New Zealand one of the best liveable countries. This includes healthcare, schooling and work-life balance. We shall look at some of the aspects individually to see how this makes sense. Among 35 countries on this list that assesses various factors, New Zealand has a high quotient compared to most countries. 

Jobs in New Zealand: In NZ, at least 77% of people aged between 15 and 64 have a paid job, which means more than half the population is independent and pays tax to the government, which in turn provides better facilities for its citizens. This is also 9% higher than the OECD average of 68%.

Education: More than 79% of adults in New Zealand aged between 25 and 64 have completed upper secondary education, which is slightly above the OECD average of 78%. An average student in the country also scores a minimum of 506 in reading literacy, maths, and science in the OECD’s PISA or Programme for International Student Assessment. This too is higher than the OECD average of 486.

Some of the other factors that add to the liveability quotient of the country are the good OECD scores for life expectancy, working hours, air quality, water quality, community, and life satisfaction. 

Compared to other countries, New Zealand has a relatively low population density and is known for its beautiful natural surroundings. This makes the environment conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship. Not to mention, the country is known for its thriving start-up scene too. The country is also known for its world-class universities and research institutions that provide ample opportunities for research and development.

One major reason for New Zealand’s skill shortage is its ageing population, which has led to a decrease in the strength of the workforce. This has also created a gap in the labour market, especially in industries that require skilled labourers. Another factor is the country’s strong economic growth over the years which has led to an increase in demand for workers that have not been matching the number of available workers to fill the roles. Some experts also suggest that there may be a mismatch between the skills that the workers have and those that the employees are looking for. In order to address this issue, the NZ government has implemented several measures to attract skilled workers from different parts of the world, including streamlining visa processes and incentives for immigrants with in-demand skills.