Global ELT Recovery Stalls as Canada, UK and Australia Face Setbacks
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The global English Language Teaching (ELT) sector is facing slower-than-expected recovery, with major study destinations such as the UK, Canada and Australia struggling under policy and economic pressures, according to the latest BONARD Education Global ELT Annual Report 2025.
By 2024, the sector had recovered to just 73% of 2019 student volumes and 75% of student weeks, signalling a weaker performance than the previous year. Stricter immigration rules, higher visa fees, currency depreciation and inflation were cited as key barriers. Between 2023 and 2024, student weeks declined by 10% and student numbers fell 6% across the eight major destinations.
Ireland and Malta stood out as exceptions. Ireland surpassed pre-pandemic levels, reaching 109% of 2019 student numbers, while Malta recorded more student weeks despite shorter stays. Both benefited from visa-friendly policies and part-time work opportunities that drew students away from costlier and more restrictive destinations such as Canada, Australia and the UK.
The UK retained the largest ELT market share at 38%, supported by strong junior enrolments, but overall growth slowed. Canada faced setbacks as study permit caps and tougher financial rules reduced student inflows, while Australia reported a 22% fall in student weeks and a 16% drop in enrolments amid high refusal rates and rising course costs. The US also continued to underperform, with only 63% recovery in student numbers, hindered by visa denials.
Emerging destinations, meanwhile, gained traction. The UAE and the Philippines enrolled over 100,000 ELT students in 2024, while South Africa recovered to 95% of pre-pandemic levels, boosted by demand from African markets. New Zealand saw a 44% year-on-year rise but remains the slowest to return to pre-2019 volumes.
Brazil overtook Colombia as the world’s largest ELT source market, while China recorded the strongest growth at 21%, though its numbers are still below pre-pandemic peaks. Analysts suggest diversification towards affordable, accessible destinations is reshaping global ELT mobility, reducing reliance on traditional hubs like Canada and the UK.
Source: THE PIE NEWS
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