Report: foreigners account for only slightly more than 1 percent of all students in Poland

There are currently more than 24 thousand international students from 141 countries studying in Poland. It is nearly 4 000 more than in 2011, but they still account for only 1.39 percent of all students.

"It is still not only significantly less than in the developed countries of the West or in China, but also less than in the neighbour countries: Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and even Bulgaria and Romania" - reported the "Perspektywy" Education Foundation in the release sent to PAP.

According to the report, Poland remains the least internationalised EU Member State and one of the least internationalised countries in the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). However, there is some improvement in this area, because even five years ago, foreigners accounted for only 0.6 percent of all students.

Most students come to Polish universities from neighbouring countries: Ukraine (6321) and Belarus (2937). Next are Norwegians (1514), Swedes (1162) and Americans (970).

"Students from Spain are a dynamically growing group of foreign students at Polish universities. There are 1177 currently studying in Poland. They prefer technical studies" - reads the report sent to PAP.

Compared to the global average, in Poland there are few students from Asia, and their number continues to decrease. Only 565 students from China, 533 from Taiwan, 215 from India and 197 Vietnam study in Poland.

However, the number of students from Ukraine at Polish universities continues to grow. Poland, along with Russia and Germany, it is the country of choice for students from Ukraine. Since 2000, their number has more than doubled.

"More than 4 million students worldwide choose to study outside their home country. By 2020, this number is expected to double. More than half of the international students are Asians. Vast majority of foreign students study in OECD countries. Preferred choice are: the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany and France. These countries have more than half of all international students" - reported the "Perspektywy" Education Foundation.

Globally, the market for international studies generates 80-90 billion dollars a year for countries that host students. In Poland, according to the foundation representatives, estimated foreign students’ contribution to the economy is currently about 100 million euros per year.

The report "International Students in Poland 2012" is based on unpublished data of the Central Statistical Office of Poland, and data available at OECD, UNESCO and Eurostat. The publication was prepared for the long-term "Study in Poland" program carried out jointly by the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland and the "Perspektywy" Education Foundation.

PAP - Science and Scholarship in Poland

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