In 2009, of the total number of international students enrolled at the tertiary level in Canada, 58.7% were from Asia, 12.4% were from Africa, 12.2% from Europe, 8.4% from North America, 7.9% from Latin America and the Caribbean, and 0.6% from Oceania (Table C.1.2; Chart C.1.3).41 Students from China represented the largest group of international students in Canada, accounting for 26.5% of international students in Canada, followed by students from the United States (7.9%), France (6.6%), India (5.2%), and South Korea (4.9%). The high proportion of Asian students in Canada is also mirrored in the OECD countries, where Asia is generally the largest source of international students, accounting for over half (51%) of the total.42
Ontario (38.2%), Quebec (21.6%) and British Columbia (18.0%) attracted the highest proportions of international students in 2009 (Table C.1.2; Chart C.1.1). Together they hosted more than three-quarters (77.8%) of the international students enrolled in tertiary education in Canada. For most provinces with the exception of Quebec and New Brunswick, Asia provided the highest proportion of international students, generally followed by Africa and North America (Chart C.1.4). The mix is different in Quebec, with Europe and Africa providing more international students than Asia. In New Brunswick, the region of Latin America and the Caribbean provided the highest number of international students, followed by Asia.
China provided the highest proportions of international students to all provinces but Quebec and New Brunswick (ranging from 28.8% in Ontario to 76.9% in Prince Edward Island). In Quebec, not surprisingly, over one-quarter (26.3%) of international students enrolled in tertiary programs were from France. In New Brunswick, in 2009 and for the last 10 years, Trinidad and Tobago provided a significant number of international students.
In 2009, Ontario was the most popular province of study for international students from Asia, Oceania, Latin America and the Caribbean, and from many individual countries. Quebec hosted the highest proportions of African, North American and European students. This is mainly attributable to students from the French-speaking countries of Africa and France who were enrolled in francophone universities and colleges in Quebec, and to students from the United States who were attracted to the English universities in Quebec. The highest proportions of Japanese and Taiwanese students were enrolled in universities and colleges in British Columbia.
41. These proportions were calculated based on students for whom the country of origin was known (the “other” category (undeclared origin) was not taken into account).
42. See Education at a Glance 2012: OECD Indicators, Table C4.3, Distribution of international and foreign students in tertiary education, by country of origin (2010).
International students C1
Chart C.1.3
Distribution of international students in tertiary education, by region of origin, Canada, 2009
Note: These proportions were calculated based on students for whom the country of origin was known (the “other”
category [undeclared origin] was not taken into account).
Source: Table C.1.2.
Chart C.1.4
Distribution of international students in tertiary education, by region of origin, Canada and provinces, 2009
Source: Table C.1.2.
Africa 12%
North America
8%
Latin America and the Caribbean
8%
59%Asia Europe
12%
Oceania 1%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
N.L.
P.E.I.
N.S.
N.B.
Que.
Ont.
Man.
Sask.
Alta.
B.C.
Can.
Africa North
America Latin America
and the Caribbean Asia Europe Oceania
Definitions, sources and methodology
This indicator examines the proportion of international students in the different categories of tertiary education. It also provides insight into the change in the number of international and foreign students between 2001 and 2009.
International students are those who, for the specific purpose of pursuing their education, go to a country other than their country of residence or the country in which they were previously educated. These students may be defined on the basis of either the country of which they were permanent residents or the country in which they were previously educated (regardless of their nationality). In Canada, this concept includes students who are not Canadian citizens and who do not hold a permanent residency permit in Canada. Foreign students are those who are educated in a country for which they do not hold citizenship. In Canada, as in other countries, this concept covers all students who are not Canadian citizens but who hold a permanent residency permit (formerly called landed immigrants). International students are therefore a subset of foreign students.
The proportion of enrolment at a given education level accounted for by international students is obtained by dividing the number of students who are not Canadian citizens and who are not permanent residents of Canada by the total number of students at that level, and multiplying this ratio by 100. The total number of students includes all individuals educated in Canada, whether they are Canadian citizens or foreign nationals, but it excludes all Canadian citizens who are educated abroad.
The Canadian data were drawn from Statistics Canada’s Postsecondary Student Information System (PSIS), which covers only public postsecondary institutions. As not all institutions currently provide data to PSIS, results for some jurisdictions rely in part on estimates submitted to the institutions for validation. The data on foreign students and international students reflect the 2009/2010 academic year (2008/2009 for Canada) and are drawn from the UOE collection of statistical data on education, which was carried out by the OECD in 2011. In Canada and other OECD countries, domestic and international students are usually counted on a specific day or period of the year (e.g., the PSIS enrolment data reflect the number of students who were enrolled in courses on October 31, 2008, for the academic year 2008/2009). This procedure may not capture the total number of international students as some students may study abroad for less than a full academic year (e.g., those that enter in the winter or spring terms).
Note: The corresponding OECD indicator is C4, Who studies abroad and where?.