Economic Factors Drive Decline in Swedish Students Studying Abroad
A decline in Swedish students studying abroad highlights economic challenges and shifting destination preferences.
Key Points
- • 22,300 students studied abroad in 2024/2025, down from 30,000 at peak.
- • Economic factors like a weak krona contribute to reluctance.
- • Spain and France are gaining popularity among Swedish students.
- • USA's appeal has diminished, halving in numbers.
Recent data reveals a sharp decline in Swedish students pursuing education overseas, attributed primarily to economic challenges. In the 2024/2025 academic year, only 22,300 students chose to study abroad, marking a nearly 20% decrease over the past 25 years. This figure represents less than 5% of all students receiving study loans, despite a 30% increase in the total number of students borrowing for education during the same period.
Analyst Sofia Lennerth from the Central Study Support (CSN) highlights the weakening of the Swedish krona as a critical factor, increasing the costs of studying abroad. Even with access to favorable loans, many students are deterred by higher expenses. The peak interest in studying abroad reached 30,000 students in the past, showcasing a significant shift in preference.
Shifts in destination preferences are also notable. While the USA has historically been the leading choice for Swedish students, numbers have halved in recent years. Conversely, countries like Spain and France are seeing a rise in popularity, with Italy’s enrollment doubling over the last decade. These trends reflect not only economic conditions but also changing perceptions of international education opportunities for Swedish students.