In the academic year 2019-20, India contributed $7.6 billion to the US economy. A report arrived at this figure even though the number of Indian students decreased by 4.4 percent to 1,93,124 students.
According to the report, India remained the second largest source of international students.
Further, the report “Open Doors 2020” said that China was the largest source of international students in the US and this number increased for the 16th year. There were over 3,72,000 Chinese students in total.
In an academic year, United States hosted more than 1 million international students (1,075,496) for the fifth consecutive year, says the report released by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education (IIE).
During the 2019-2020 academic year, even though there was a slight decline in the number of international students, even then the group represents 5.5 per cent of all students in US higher education system.
In total, all the International Students contributed $ 44 billion to the US economy in 2019. This includes $ 7,69 billion from Indian students, as per the US Department of Commerce.
Among 20 places, there was an increase in the number of students from Bangladesh, Brazil, and Nigeria. Bangladesh (7 per cent), Brazil (4 per cent) and Nigeria (3 per cent).
Of all countries, there was a 17 percent decrease in the number of students from Saudi Arabia as its government’s scholarship program has changed.
Marie Royce, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs said, “We are encouraged to see a fifth year of more than 1 million international students in the United States before the pandemic,”
International student mobility is as important today as ever, and we believe the United States is the best destination for students to study and earn their degrees. Education is a pathway to a greater future and international educational exchange has the power to transform students” trajectories,” Ms Royce said.
