Germany sees record 60,000 Indian students, biggest jump in five years

(Representative Photo)

The latest statistics show that nearly 60,000 students from India are currently studying in Germany, reflecting a significant 20% increase over the past year, Philipp Ackermann, German Ambassador, said in a post on X.

New numbers are out! Almost 60,000 students from India are currently studying in Germany - a leap of 20 % over a year. 🇩🇪🇮🇳👨‍🎓👩‍🎓

❗️My recommendation: our highly prestigious and affordable public universities are a great choice - do check online reviews of private universities.

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— Dr Philipp Ackermann (@AmbAckermann) August 22, 2025

India has been one of the top countries sending students abroad, with an increasing number of students heading to Germany. German universities, renowned for their high academic standards, offer a wide range of programs, especially in fields like engineering, technology, and the natural sciences. Many of these programs are taught in English, which enhances their accessibility for international students.

According to a statement from the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), Germany recorded the highest number of foreign students from India this year, with a total of 49,483. This represents a 15.1 per cent increase over the previous year, making India the largest group of international students enrolled at German universities, surpassing China, according to data for the winter semester of 2023-24.

A statement from DAAD issued in early September said, “The number has more than doubled in the last five years. Indian students now comprise the largest international community in Germany for the second consecutive year.”

Official statistics show that 20,810 Indian students were enrolled in German universities and colleges in the 2018-19 academic year, which increased to 25,149 in 2019-20.

Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of Indian students in Germany continued to rise: there were 28,905 in 2020-21, 34,134 in 2021-22, 42,997 in 2022-23, and most recently, 49,483 in the 2023-24 winter semester. In comparison, the number of Chinese students in Germany last year was 39,137, followed by Syria with 15,563, Austria with 14,762, and Turkey with 14,732.