By the numbers – Enrolment data and Perceptions survey

117,276 international students enrolled in 2018 

Schools – 22,276 

Private Training Establishments (excluding ELS) – 25,466 

English Language Schools (ELS) – 21,221 

Institutes of Technology/ Polytechnics (ITPs) – 17,240 

Universities – 31,529 

China – 32% 

India – 14% 

Japan – 8% 

Korea – 5% 

University enrolments for international students are at a six-year high and the sector is now the largest receiver of international students (27% or 31,529). This is a 7% increase from 2017.  

International students studying in the school sector has also increased by 6%.  

The regional distribution of international students is also at a six-year high.  

There is a growing diversity in where international students are coming from, with the number of students coming from Latin America up by 7%.  

Almost three in five Kiwis believe that international education positively contributes to New Zealand as a country, while over half believe it contributes at a community level.   

More Kiwis are seeing international education as positively contributing to New Zealand’s tourism, economy and economic growth, our international networks and trading connections and a multi-cultural New Zealand.   

The social, cultural and economic benefits that international education brings to New Zealand are widely recognised by the New Zealand public.   

65% of New Zealanders recognise the benefits international education brings to New Zealand’s economy and its economic growth. This has increased from 56% in 2017.  

In the regions, 53% believe international education benefits the regional economy in comparison to 49% in 2017.         

More people are seeing the opportunity for international students to learn about New Zealand’s culture and way of life – 76% in 2019 compared to 64% in 2017.