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Rising Costs and Visa Curbs Cool Indian Gen Z Study Plans
Many young Indians are becoming less interested in studying in other countries.
Nearly half of those who had considered studying abroad changed their minds or became less interested over the past year.
The biggest reasons were higher costs, complicated visas, and worries about safety or politics.
The United States saw the largest fall in popularity.
Instead, many students said they would consider studying in India through programs run by internationally ranked universities.
Some students also like programs that let them study partly in India and partly abroad.
Young people are using AI tools to learn new skills.
Many also think work-life balance matters more than becoming a top executive.
A survey found 48% of Indian Gen Z respondents interested in overseas education had become less interested over the past year.
Among respondents whose interest declined, 37% cited rising costs, 26% visa and immigration issues, and 24% safety or political uncertainty.
The United States experienced the sharpest drop in appeal among overseas study destinations, according to the report.
Internationally ranked university programs based in India attracted interest from 87% of pre-college and 92% of transitioning respondents.
The survey also found that 82% use AI tools weekly for learning, while 74% prioritize work-life balance over formal leadership titles.
- Who
- Indian Gen Z respondents aged 15 to 28, including pre-college, transitioning, and early-career participants.
- What
- Interest in studying abroad has declined for 48% of respondents who had considered overseas education, while India-based international programs are gaining appeal.
- Where
- The survey covered respondents in major Indian cities; the United States saw the sharpest decline in appeal.
- When
- The change in interest was measured over the past year in the India’s Gen Z Outlook 2026 report.
- Why
- Rising costs, visa and immigration restrictions, safety and political uncertainty, and concerns about being away from family affected study-abroad plans.
India-Based International Education
Traditional Overseas Study
Preferred education pathway
India-Based International Education
Many respondents favored internationally ranked university programs based in India, with 69% of transitioning students preferring them over going abroad to avoid visa uncertainty.
Traditional Overseas Study
On-campus education abroad remains preferred overall, although interest in overseas study has weakened among many respondents.
International exposure
India-Based International Education
Programs combining study in India with foreign-university exposure or semester exchanges are becoming more popular.
Traditional Overseas Study
Traditional overseas programs offer students a fully foreign-based education, but cost, immigration rules, safety concerns, and distance from family reduce their appeal.
Key facts
- Survey
- Emeritus surveyed 1,010 respondents aged 15 to 28 across major Indian cities.
- Declining interest
- 48% of respondents who had considered overseas education reported lower interest than a year earlier.
- Main reason
- Among those whose interest declined, 37% cited rising costs.
- Other concerns
- Visa and immigration issues were cited by 26%, while safety concerns were cited by 24%.
- India-based programs
- 87% of pre-college respondents and 92% of transitioning respondents were likely or extremely likely to consider internationally ranked university programs in India.
- Hybrid programs
- Preference for India-based programs with foreign-university exposure or exchanges rose from 27% among pre-college respondents to 39% among transitioning respondents.
- Skills and careers
- 82% use AI or GenAI tools weekly for learning or skills development, and 65% of early-career respondents said a degree alone is no longer enough for job-market success.
Quotes
Ashwin Damera
Co-founder and CEO of Emeritus
“It took 30 years to build a predictable outward migration path. The reversal is happening much faster.”
businesstoday.in
Sources
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