International Student Enrolment in Canada Falls 6.9%: StatCan

New international student enrolment figures for Canada from Statistics Canada, released on 1 October 2026, show a fall of 39,582, or 6.9%, in the 2024/2025 academic year. Students from India made up about two-thirds of the drop, with Indian enrolments down 26,550 (11.9%). Ontario colleges saw the largest fall.

Key facts

• International enrolments fell by 39,582 (-6.9%) in 2024/2025.
• Colleges: 266,508 international enrolments (-22,323; -7.7%). Universities: 266,874 (-17,259; -6.1%).
• India: -26,550 (-11.9%). China: -4,368 (-6.6%). Philippines: -3,654 (-18.6%). Together, 83.4% of the decline.
• Ontario colleges: -28,875 international enrolments (-13.6%).
• Domestic enrolments rose 2.1% (+37,626). Total enrolments stayed near 2.3 million.
• Released by Statistics Canada on 1 October 2026.

What changed in international student enrolment

Statistics Canada’s annual release on postsecondary enrolments shows the first full-year drop in international students linked to the study permit cap. The agency said: “The 2024/2025 academic year was the first to reflect the year-over-year effects” of the federal changes announced in January 2024, including a temporary cap on new study permits.

The numbers are:

• Colleges: 266,508 international enrolments, down 22,323 (-7.7%).
• Universities: 266,874 international enrolments, down 17,259 (-6.1%).

Adding these gives about 533,400 international enrolments in total. Statistics Canada did not state a single total in its summary; this is our calculation.

Domestic students moved the other way. Their enrolments rose 2.1% (+37,626), so total enrolment was almost flat at 2.3 million (+0.1%).

Who is affected

By province. Ontario had the largest drops: -28,875 (-13.6%) at colleges and -7,455 (-6.7%) at universities. British Columbia had the second-largest university decline (-5,346; -10.6%). Manitoba had the second-largest college decline (-732; -13.4%).

By country. Three countries accounted for 83.4% of the fall:

• India: -26,550 (-11.9%)
• China: -4,368 (-6.6%)
• Philippines: -3,654 (-18.6%)

The release does not give a separate figure for Nepal.

By field. Business and administration fell the most: -16,089 at colleges and -5,283 at universities. Engineering also fell (-4,677 at colleges; -4,416 at universities). Health care was the exception, with small increases (+1,524 at colleges; +309 at universities).

Graduates. Canada had 724,071 postsecondary graduates in 2024 (+9.2%). Growth was led by international college graduates (+44,328; +31.3%). Many of these graduates will now be looking for work permits and permanent residence.

International student enrolment data: what it means for Nepali and Indian students

The data covers 2024/2025, so it shows what has already happened, not new rules. But it explains the market you are entering.

• Fewer students in business diplomas. The biggest drop was in college business programs, often chosen by South Asian students. Colleges that relied on these programs, especially in Ontario, have cut intakes.
• Health care held up. International enrolment in health programs grew slightly. This matches Canada’s focus on health care in its immigration selection.
• More graduates competing. International college graduates rose by more than 31% in 2024. More people are competing for jobs, PGWPs and permanent residence spots.

For Indian students, the 11.9% drop is the clearest sign of how the cap and other changes hit the largest source country. Nepali students face the same rules, so the same pressures apply.

If you are planning to study in Canada, see our guide to study in Canada from Nepal and check how your program links to a work permit in our PGWP field of study page.

What to do now

1. Look at programs in fields that held up, such as health care, if they match your interests and background.
2. Check that your program is eligible for a PGWP before you pay a deposit.
3. Ask the college how many international students it admitted last year and whether intakes have changed.
4. Budget for a longer job search after graduation, given the rise in graduates.
5. Use only licensed advisers and be wary of any agent who promises a job or PR.

What we don’t know yet

• The release covers 2024/2025. It does not show the effect of the 2026 study permit cap, which will appear in later data.
• Nepal is not broken out in the summary. Country-level detail may be available in Statistics Canada’s data tables.
• Enrolment counts are taken on a single date each institution chooses between 30 September and 1 December, so they are a snapshot, not a full-year count.

Frequently asked questions

How much did international student enrolment in Canada fall in 2024/2025?

By 39,582, or 6.9%, in 2024/2025, according to Statistics Canada’s 1 October 2026 release.

Which country saw the biggest fall?

India. Enrolments of Indian students fell by 26,550 (11.9%), about two-thirds of the total decline.

Does this change any study permit rules?

No. The international student enrolment figures are a statistics release. The rules behind the fall, including the study permit cap, were announced earlier.

Sources

• The Daily — Canadian postsecondary enrolments and graduates, 2024/2025 – Statistics Canada
• International Student Enrolment in Canadian Postsecondary Schools Fell 6.9 Percent in 2024/2025 – Moving2Canada

Last checked: 7 October 2026. This is general information, not immigration advice.