Indian Students Rethink Studying Abroad
Friday, 2026/06/26148 words2 minutes1746 reads
India has become the world's largest source of international students, with over 1.2 million studying abroad in 2025. However, recent economic and political changes are making families think twice about this investment.
The Indian rupee has fallen sharply against major currencies. Since 2019, it has lost between 35% and 47% of its value against currencies in popular study destinations. This means education costs have increased dramatically for Indian families.
Pragati Priya, who plans to study in Rome, represents this struggle. "It has kept me up at night," she said about her rising loan burden. Only her family's financial support made her decision possible.
Enrollments to the UK and US have already dropped by 20% over two years. Experts predict another 10-15% decline. Meanwhile, students are showing growing interest in more affordable European destinations like Germany, Ireland, and Italy, where tuition costs are lower and job prospects remain strong.
