Ireland Hosts Record 128,000+ English Language Students in 2024, Injecting €792 Million into Economy
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Ireland’s English Language Education (ELE) sector welcomed a record 128,761 international students in 2024, contributing a direct economic impact of €792 million, according to the latest report by English Education Ireland (EEI) and market research firm BONARD.
Despite mounting global competition and increasing visa-related pressures, the sector showed resilience, growing international student enrolments by 2% year-on-year. Students came from over 125 countries, reinforcing Ireland’s global appeal as a premier English language destination.
While student numbers climbed, total student weeks dropped by 8%, largely due to the rising popularity of short-term junior programmes known as “mini-stays”, which saw a 12% rise in enrolments. These brief group-based experiences are becoming a key growth driver, particularly for younger learners from Europe.
Adult learners, who made up 45% of the student body but 84% of student weeks, continue to form the financial backbone of the industry. General English remains the most sought-after course type, with adults studying for an average of 12.7 weeks.
Brazil and Mexico led enrolments from Latin America, a key region for Ireland, while China posted an impressive +74% growth in student numbers in 2024. Most junior students came from Italy and Spain, accounting for 80% of that segment.
Dublin continues to dominate as the primary education hub, hosting over 60% of EEI member schools and nearly 3,000 seasonal staff during peak months.
EEI CEO Lorcan O’Connor Lloyd noted that while the financial impact is substantial, the true value of the sector lies in its cultural, social, and economic contributions: “International students support tourism, enrich communities, and strengthen Ireland’s global connections.”
However, challenges persist. Visa processing delays, rising immigration hurdles, and tightening financial requirements are beginning to affect recruitment, especially from non-EU markets.
“To remain globally competitive, Ireland needs coherent immigration, education, and economic strategies,” Lloyd emphasised.
The report signals cautious optimism with future growth likely driven by junior students and more compact programmes but warns that continued government support is essential to sustain momentum.
Source: THE PIE NEWS
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