Germany continues to be one of the world’s most attractive countries for international students. The number of international students in Germany during the 2023/24 winter semester reached 379,900. This figure represents a 3% increase compared to the previous year and makes Germany a true student attraction (https://www.daad.de/de/der-daad/kommunikation-publikationen/presse/pressemitteilungen/2024/deutschland-ist-die-weltweite-nummer-2-fuer-internationale-wissenschaftlerinnen-und-wissenschaftler/).

The majority of international students in Germany come from Asia. India is the largest group with approximately 49,000 students; China follows with approximately 38,700 students (https://www.studying-in-germany.org/germany-international-student-statistics/).

This rise has accelerated dramatically in recent years, particularly for India—historical data shows that the number of students from India nearly doubled from 28,900 in 2020/21 to 2023/24.

Turkey constitutes the third-largest international student group in Germany, with 18,100 students. This represents a 22.7% increase compared to the previous year.

Austria, Iran, Syria, and Russia are also important source countries. Approximately 15,400 students come from Austria, and 15,200 from Iran. The number of students from Syria is approximately 13,400, while that from Russia is around 10,600.

Multiple factors contribute to Germany’s rise as an international student hub: free or low-cost university education, post-graduation work rights, and a stable education system. In addition to these dynamics, steps to increase academic solidarity are critical.

As Germany grows more attractive to international students, this demographic is not only characterized by academic success but also by cultural richness and future potential. Supporting this diversity through academic solidarity is crucial for both global scholarship and inter-societal understanding.