Foreign students provide major economic boost to Germany, study reveals

A recent study conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the German Economic Institute (IW) reveals that international students are significantly contributing to Germany's economy. The findings highlight a 'healthy staying rate' for students, with 45% of those arriving in 2010 still residing in the country a decade later. This staying rate means that the costs associated with their education are offset by their economic contributions through taxes and social security. The report posits that international students, in their lifetime, are expected to generate a net surplus of €15.5 billion if they remain in Germany to work. This surplus far exceeds any benefits these students might claim, thereby emphasizing their role as economic drivers. Highlighted in the report is Germany's tuition-free higher education system, which attracts international talent. Joybrato Mukherjee, president of the German Academic Exchange Service, underscores that international students are valuable both academically and economically. The study stresses the strategic measures taken by German industries to attract this talent, which fortifies the workforce and supports financial resilience. An African student interviewed by DW cited cost-effectiveness as a major draw, with Germany being a preferable option due to its lack of tuition fees for international students. The narrative surrounding free education, originally rooted in social justice, has evolved into an economic strategy to attract skilled labor.