Rabat – Moroccan students made up the largest chunk of France’s foreign student population in 2021, according to recent numbers released by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation.
With 44,933 students, Moroccans made up 12% of France foreign student population, maintaining the number 1 place.
The number of students had increased by 22% from 2015 to 2020.
Algeria came in second position with 29,333 students, making up 8% of the foreign student population in France; the figures represent a 29% increase from 2015.
China went down one rank as Algeria took it over in the list of countries with the most students in France, Maintaining the same number of students in France since 2015 — 27,950 — the Chinese academic contingent currently represents 8% of France’s foreign student population.
Overall, the number of international students in France increased by 18% since 2015, reaching 264,756 in 2020.
Earlier this year, Moroccans topped the list of nationalities who received a visa to France, although there was a decrease in the overall number of visa recipients.
Data from the French interior ministry shows that the number of Moroccan recipients of French visas was 69,408 in 2021, compared to 98,627 in 2020.
The general increase in the number of foreign students is also in line with an increase in the number of visas granted, and the number of immigrants coming into France, the interior ministry’s data shows.
The number of French visas issued to foreigners increased by 2.9% in 2021, from 712,317 in 2020 to 733,069.
As it is home to some of the world’s leading schools, boasts a long history with many African countries (mainly its former colonies), and is geographically relatively close to Africa, France has long been a popular study destination for nationals from several African countries.
Meanwhile, Morocco is also a popular travel destination for French people, being their most popular tourism spot as well as their number one African country to emigrate to.
Read also: Morocco Among Top 20 Destination for French Tourists
