International students can boost the economy, shows analysis

Getting 1,000 more international students to come to Denmark in one year increases government revenues between DKK 0.4 and 0.8 billion. And a net gain in government revenues is the case, no matter whether the students come from in or outside the EU.

This is according to a new analysis using the economic model DREAM for the Ministry of Education, reports the ministry.

The analysis comes days after the government announced a plan to extend visas graduating from six months to three years for international Master’s and PhD graduates.

“International students help internationalise the Danish higher education environment, and give Danish students a wider outlook and perspective. But they also contribute to getting economic growth started in Denmark, as they have the skills which the Danish companies are looking for,” says Minister of Education Morten Østergaard.

See the economic model here (in Danish)

Drop in non-EU numbers

“Even though it entails some costs to educate international students, over the course of years, it is a clear gain to this country,” he adds.

While the number of international students has grown in the past decades, there has over the course of the last few years been a drop in the number of international students from non-EU countries.

A large proportion of these students leave Denmark after they have finished their education.

To present new strategy

The Minister of Education is soon to present a wider strategy for internationalization of higher education institutions, he says in the release.

“The most important thing is that we ensure that international students stay in this country and join the Danish labour market after finishing their education. It is therefore important that they achieve a close link to Danish society while they are studying, and that they have the wish and opportunity to stay in Denmark after their Master’s degree”, he says.

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