The number of foreign students in the Netherlands increased 2 times

The number of foreign students in the Netherlands has increased twice and has reached 80 thousand people. Many of them can remain in the country after graduation.

In recent years, Dutch universities are experiencing a real influx of foreign students. In the 2016-2017 academic year in the classic universities and universities of applied Sciences of the country studied more than 80 thousand foreigners. Just ten years ago this figure was two times lower, according to a recent study of the international student organization Nuffic.

Increased and the geographic origin of students — today Dutch universities attended by representatives of 164 States. In addition, foreign graduates of undergraduate and graduate programs more often than previously thought, remain in the Netherlands.

According to new data Nuffic, about 25% of the total number of foreigners will remain permanently in the Netherlands. About 40% of the ex-students remain in the country for about 7 years after graduation, which is two times more than previously thought.

"The ability to attract and retain talented young people from other countries is becoming a prerequisite for the development of regions and cities", — stated in a press release Nuffic. This issue is of great importance in some regions, where the number of residents continues to decline. The organization also cited two recent studies on the role of foreign students in the development of a knowledge-based economy and business.

It is expected that immediately after graduation, young professionals prefer to settle in Amsterdam, the Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht. That's four largest cities of the Netherlands, which are also increasingly included in global business.

The most attractive cities for foreign students in Amsterdam and Maastricht — 10 thousand people each. And if in Amsterdam the figure is only 10% of students in Maastricht foreign — about half of the total number of students. In Rotterdam and Groningen has about 8 thousand foreigners.

Delft, the Hague and Wagering also attractive to foreign students, which is about 20% of the total.

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Source: Zack Newmark, NLtimes.nl