Germany more attractive to researchers than ever

If you visit the campus of a German university these days you will hear voices from all over the world. Germany has long since become a hot spot for the international academic scene. In fact, the country is more attractive than ever: last year, the number of international students increased by around three percent to nearly 380,000. More than 75,000 international researchers are also now working in Germany - a new record. This trend has seen Germany become the world’s number two academic destination - right behind the US and ahead of the UK. This and other topical data relating to the international mobility of students and academics can be found in the “Wissenschaft weltoffen” report published by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

Many researchers from India

Around 80 percent of international academics and researchers in Germany work at universities - including some 4,000 professors - while approx. 20 percent work at non-university research institutions. The highest numbers of international academics and researchers come from India (6,700), China (5,900) and Italy (5,800).

International students in Germany

379,900 international students were enrolled at German universities in the 2023/24 winter semester. They account for just shy of 13 percent of all students. The rise in the number of first-year students from abroad is particularly striking: in the 2022 academic year, 114,700 began studying in Germany – likewise a new record. Overall, the most international students come from India (around 49,000) and China (around 38,700). Turkey is also playing an increasingly important role, and is now in third place with around 18,100 students - followed by Austria (15,400), Iran (15,200) and Syria (13,400). The highest numbers of international students were enrolled at universities in the state of North-Rhine Westphalia (78,500), with Bavaria (61,400) and Berlin (40,800) following in second and third place.

German students abroad 

The number of German students abroad totalled nearly 138,000 in 2021. This marked a slight two-percent dip over a five-year period. Nonetheless, the figure has quadrupled since 1991 and more than doubled since 2000. The most popular destination countries for German students are Austria (36,100), the Netherlands (24,400) and Switzerland (12,400). 

Student mobility up significantly worldwide

According to UNESCO, around 6.4 million students were enrolled at a university outside their home country in 2021. The number of internationally mobile students has soared by roughly 2.4 million or just under 60 percent since 2011. The USA is the most popular host country for international students, with around 833,000 students from abroad in 2021. China is the leading country of origin, with around 996,000 of its students enrolled at universities around the world in 2021.