Statistics Canada study projects a sharp decline in international student enrolment in 2026

A new study released by Statistics Canada on May 5, 2026, indicates that federal policy changes implemented in 2024 have triggered a significant reversal in international student trends. Preliminary estimates suggest that new student cohorts will plummet by 64% in the 2025/2026 academic year compared to 2023/2024 levels. Total international student enrolment in public postsecondary institutions is projected to drop by 29% over the same two-year period, bringing population levels back to pandemic levels. The impact is most severe in college programs, which face a 42% decrease, and in Ontario, where enrolment is expected to fall by 36%. While these measures aim to manage growth and housing pressures, researchers warn of potential long-term repercussions for the financial health of educational institutions and Canada’s global competitiveness.

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