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International Student Statistics in Spain 2024

Spain has become one of the most popular destinations for international students, with steady growth over the past several years. In the 2022/2023 academic year, Spain set a new record by welcoming 241,777 international students, up from 224,080 the year before. This growth is even more impressive compared to the 175,382 students in 2020/2021, proving how quickly Spain’s higher education system bounced back after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Looking back over the last decade, the number of international students in Spain has grown significantly. In 2015/2016, there were 153,193 students, and by 2019/2020, that number had already reached 208,366. Despite challenges during the pandemic, Spain’s universities continued to attract students, and the numbers have only kept growing. This increase shows how Spain remains a top choice for students looking for quality education in a welcoming and affordable environment.

There are many reasons for this steady growth. Spain offers excellent universities, a wide range of programs in both Spanish and English, and a rich cultural experience that appeals to students worldwide. Whether it’s students from Europe, Latin America, or even Asia and the U.S., more and more people are choosing Spain to study, and this trend is likely to continue in the future.

International Students by Academic Year
Academic Year Number of International Students
2022-2023 241,777
2021-2022 224,082
2020-2021 175,382
2019-2020 208,321
2018-2019 194,741

International Students in Spain by Country of Origin

Spain is a top choice for international students, attracting people from all over the world. In the 2022/2023 academic year, at the top of the list is Italy, with 23,810 students, making up 9.85% of all international students. Close behind is Colombia, with 23,623 students (9.77%), showing the strong connection Spain has with Latin America. France follows in third place, sending 19,656 students (8.13%), thanks to its close location and strong educational ties with Spain.

Latin America plays a big role in Spain’s international student numbers. Countries like Ecuador (7.08%), Mexico (4.11%), Peru (3.89%), and Chile (2.72%) all send thousands of students to study in Spain each year. This trend is mainly due to the shared Spanish language and cultural similarities, which make it easier for students to adapt. Outside of Spanish-speaking countries, China has the most students, with 12,542 (5.19%), and the United States is close behind with 9,774 students (4.04%), showing that Spain is also growing in popularity among North American and Asian students.

Other countries, especially in Europe, also send many students to Spain. For example, Germany (4.36%), Romania (3.68%), and the United Kingdom (1.42%) are well-represented, helped by exchange programs like Erasmus+. In Africa, Morocco leads with 7,263 students (3.00%), showing Spain’s connection to North Africa. 

Spain is a diverse and welcoming destination for students from all over the world, offering high-quality education, a rich culture, and a chance to experience life in Europe.

International Students by Country
Country Nr. of Students % of All Students
Italy 23,810 9.85%
Colombia 23,623 9.77%
France 19,656 8.13%
Ecuador 17,121 7.08%
China 12,542 5.19%
Germany 10,548 4.36%
Mexico 9,943 4.11%
USA 9,774 4.04%
Peru 9,403 3.89%
Romania 8,889 3.68%
Morocco 7,263 3.00%
Chile 6,569 2.72%
Portugal 4,870 2.01%
Argentina 4,343 1.80%
Venezuela 4,135 1.71%
Brazil 4,040 1.67%
United Kingdom 3,434 1.42%
Poland 3,281 1.36%
Netherlands 2,527 1.05%
Dominican Republic 2,478 1.02%

Top Five Fastest-Growing International Student Groups in Spain

Here are the top 5 countries with the fastest-growing number of international students in Spain between 2021-2022 and 2022-2023:

  1. Mexico: Increased from 7,291 to 9,943 (+2,652 students, 36.4% growth).
  2. Colombia: Jumped from 19,351 to 23,623 (+4,272 students, 22.1% growth).
  3. Peru: Grew from 7,377 to 9,403 (+2,026 students, 27.4% growth).
  4. United States: Rose from 7,717 to 9,774 (+2,057 students, 26.6% growth).
  5. Chile: Increased from 5,396 to 6,569 (+1,173 students, 21.7% growth).

These countries have seen the largest growth, showing Spain’s increasing popularity among students from Latin America and the United States. The shared language and Spain's strong academic opportunities make it an attractive choice for students worldwide.

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