International students' enrollments in Germany hit all-time high

About 402,000 international students are studying in Germany this academic year, a 6% increase from the previous year, according to "Wissenschaft weltoffen 2025", a report released in early December by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). More than 116,000 of them are new arrivals, while around 270,000 are enrolled in undergraduate programs.

Engineering dominates, accounting for 43% of international enrollments, followed by economics, law and social sciences at 25%, reflecting Germany's continued strength in technical and applied fields.

India is now Germany's largest source of international students, with about 59,000, up 20% from last year. China follows with 38,600 students. Turkey, Iran and Austria round out the top five, each contributing roughly 16,000–20,000 students, all showing year-on-year growth.

While Vietnamese student numbers were not detailed in the latest report, DAAD data places the figure at a stable around 5,800.

Students from the Asia-Pacific region make up the largest share of Germany’s international student population at 33%, while Africa accounts for about one-quarter.

Germany's rise comes as other major study destinations, including Australia, the U.S., the U.K. and especially Canada, have moved to tighten international student policies. Germany, by contrast, has continued to expand access, particularly at the master's and doctoral levels, where international researchers make up 26–28% of total enrollments.

Marcus Beiner from the German Center for Higher Education Research and Science Studies (DZHW) told ICEF Monitor that the trend highlights Germany's growing role as a global scientific hub.

The surge has also driven rapid expansion in English-language programs. German universities now offer nearly 2,400 accredited degree programs taught in English, including about 420 bachelor’s programs and 1,930 master’s programs, according to DAAD.

Behind the push is Germany’s looming skilled-labor shortage. Europe’s largest economy is expected to face a deficit of up to 7 million workers by 2035 due to population aging. DAAD has urged policymakers, universities and businesses to double the number of international graduates who stay on after completing their studies, targeting 50,000 graduates per year by 2030.

According to Study in Germany, Germany’s appeal rests on three key factors: tuition-free public universities, relatively low living costs and generous post-study work options.

Public universities charge no tuition fees, with students paying only 150–250 euros per year in administrative costs. The average monthly living cost for international students is about 930 euros ($1,000), well below typical expenses in the U.K. or the U.S. After graduation, students can remain in Germany for up to 18 months to look for work, and surveys show nearly 70% plan to stay and build their careers there.