TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The number of Vietnamese studying in Taiwan’s higher education system rose by almost half in 2024, the Ministry of Education said Friday.
The overall number of overseas students at Taiwan universities and colleges reached 123,188 in 2024, up for the fourth year running and close to the pre-pandemic total of 128.157, per CNA. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the total dropped to 90,895.
Vietnam was the most important source country for overseas students, with 39,695 registered in 2024. The total amounted to an increase of about 12,000 from the 27,883 recorded the previous year. In addition, 76% of the Vietnamese were not enrolled in short-term programs but were full students, the ministry said.
The increase was a result of several government initiatives, including the New Southbound Policy, improved flexibility for schools to recruit students, and policies to encourage overseas students to stay longer.
Indonesia and Malaysia ranked second and third on the list of source countries with limited declines in 2024. Nevertheless, the number of degree students from Indonesia rose 2,053 or 20%, revealing the improving reputation of Taiwan’s colleges, the ministry said.
Vietnam supplied 32.2% of all overseas students in Taiwan’s higher education, Indonesia 13.2%, and Malaysia 7.9%. Japan followed with 7.1%, Hong Kong with 5.6% and China finished in sixth place with 2.8%.
As China barred students from starting studies in Taiwan from 2020, only 3,489 Chinese who had arrived before then were still enrolled, the ministry said.
