Dutch ministry predicts huge rise in number of foreign students

Forecast comes as government awaits passing of bill to curb internal student numbers

The number of first-year international students attending universities in the Netherlands is set to rise significantly over the next few years, according to the country’s Ministry of Education and Science. The prediction is at odds with efforts by the government and some universities to curb the numbers.

According to the ministry, the number of first-year international students will increase by more than 25 per cent between now and 2030-31, from around 36,000 to almost 47,000.