Political debates around immigration and negative rhetoric towards minority groups will be closely observed around the globe, including by potential international students, warn policymakers, as the world faces a bumper election year.
2024 is set to be a record year for voting, with over half of the world’s population living in countries scheduled to hold federal and local elections. Among those expected to go to the polls are key student source markets (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan) and leading international student destinations (US, UK).
Elections can have both short- and long-term implications for the flow of international students. Currency fluctuations, for example, around voting time can leave students struggling to pay their deposits and tuition fees, while unexpected policy changes enacted by new administrations can derail their entire plans.
The PIE News spoke to policy groups and international student advocates about how far election years influence student numbers, if they expect political upheaval to influence students’ mindsets and what they’re looking out for in the upcoming elections.
