Canada has experienced one of the steepest declines in international student enrolment in its history, with the total number of foreign students dropping by nearly 300,000 over the past two years, according to official immigration data.
Data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) show that between December 2023 and November 2025, the number of international students in Canada fell by 273,570, representing a 27.5% decrease.
The decline comes amid a major policy shift by the Canadian government aimed at curbing the growth of temporary residents, reflecting concerns about pressures on housing, infrastructure, and public services.
Key Figures:
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December 2023: 673,970 students with valid study permits + 320,830 students with both study and work permits = 995,000 international students.
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November 2025: 476,330 students with study permits + 244,900 with study/work permits = 721,230 international students.
Speaking last month in Halifax, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab confirmed that Canada’s international student population had fallen from over one million at the start of 2024 to around 700,000 by November 2025, highlighting the scale of the contraction.
The drop has sparked debate among educators, universities, and international recruiters, as Canada has long relied on international students to support higher education funding and local economies. Critics argue the policy could impact Canada’s global competitiveness in attracting talent.
