The number of German students pursuing studies abroad dipped slightly in 2023, marking a potential shift in internationalization trends. Data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) indicates approximately 137,200 German students were enrolled at foreign institutions, a decrease of 1.3% from the previous year. While seemingly marginal, the decline warrants closer examination, particularly considering the geopolitical context and evolving educational priorities.
The contraction is predominantly attributed to significant drops in enrollment in the United States, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. The US experienced a 20% decrease, with only 6,900 German students currently registered – a figure that raises questions regarding the perceived value proposition of American higher education amidst concerns about rising costs and visa complexities. The UK followed with a 13% reduction, potentially reflecting impacts from Brexit and related policy changes which may be deterring some students. The Netherlands also saw a 7% decrease, although the reasons remain less clear. Despite these setbacks, these three nations, alongside Austria and Switzerland, continue to be the most popular destinations for German students.
Austria remains the leading destination, hosting roughly 40,700 German students – an 8% increase year-on-year, demonstrating the enduring appeal of Central European educational models. Switzerland registered a modest 1% increase, with 12,600 German students. Notably, close to two-thirds (65%) of all German students abroad concentrated their studies within these top five nations, with a substantial majority (70%) remaining within the European Union.
Disparities in degree pursuit between Austria and Switzerland are also becoming apparent. While Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees are equally sought after in Austria, doctoral studies represent a comparatively small 7% of German student choices. In contrast, Switzerland sees a significantly higher proportion (26%) pursuing doctoral programs, potentially signalling differing research ambitions and career pathways for those opting to study there.
The prevailing subject choices among German students abroad remained consistent, with “Business, Administration and Law” unsurprisingly dominating with 29,300 students (25% of the total). “Social Sciences, Journalism and Information Science” and “Health and Social Services” also maintained significant representation.
The constrained availability of places in German medical programs continues to fuel outward migration for aspiring doctors. A significant proportion of German students pursuing medicine are opting for institutions in Eastern Europe, with Bulgaria leading the trend (82% enrolled in medicine), closely followed by Lithuania, Hungary, Poland and Czech Republic. While the overall number of German students in these countries decreased slightly (5%), medicine remains the overwhelmingly popular choice, potentially highlighting a systemic issue regarding capacity within Germany itself and the accessibility of medical education. The continued reliance on Eastern European institutions for medical studies reveals a vulnerability in the German system and points to a potential drain of skilled professionals.