According to the most recent assessment on the economic effect of foreign education in Canada, Nigeria is the fourth largest source country for study visas to Canada.
The aggregate contribution of study permits from Nigeria, India, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Colombia to Canada’s GDP in 2022 was $30.9 billion, or 1.2% of the country’s total GDP.
The report, which includes both long-term students at schools, colleges, and universities, as well as short-term students, highlights that international education “plays an important role in the globalization of [the Canadian] economy, allowing it to thrive in a fast-changing and competitive environment.”
The report also reveals that the number of international students in Canada surged by a significant 61% from 2016, when there were 523,971 international students, to 2022, when the number reached 844,444.
The update estimates that international students spent approximately $37.3 billion on “tuition, accommodation, and discretionary items,” even when accounting for Canadian scholarships and bursaries.
In 2022, this investment generated a significant $7.4 billion in tax income and supported 246,310 employment in Canada.
The report noted a steady increase in the number of overseas students in the country, with previous reports published in 2008, 2010, 2014, 2015, and 2016 all documenting consistent growth.
