India and China, the two most populated countries in the world, account for nearly half of the international students pursuing higher education in the US, a report said on Monday, 16 November.
The number of students, who belong to the two economic giants, and enrolled to various educational programmes increased to 436,928 in the US during 2014-15.
"In 2014-15, India and China together accounted for 67 percent of the total increase in international students and they now constitute nearly 45 percent of the total number of international students in US higher education," said the "Open Doors" report on international educational exchange.
China remained the top country of origin of global students in the US, increasing by 11% to 304,040 during 2014-15, while India's growth outpaced China's with students from India growing by 29.4% to 132,888.
The total number of international students in the US accelerated by 10% to 974,926 during the year under review, the report revealed.
Students from India in the US study primarily at the graduate level, with 64% at the graduate level in 2014-15, 12% enrolled at the undergraduate level, 22% pursuing optional practical training, and one per cent in non-degree programmes such as English language or short-term studies.
The report is annually published by the Institute of International Education in partnership with the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
