Georgia’s higher education sector should diversify its international student base instead of relying heavily on India, according to Tatia Mamrikishvili, Head of Sector Research at Galt & Taggart.
She said the rapid growth of the sector in recent years has been driven mainly by foreign students attending private universities. Around 44,000 international students currently study in Georgia, accounting for nearly 20% of all students, with more than half coming from India and most enrolled in medical and healthcare programs.
Mamrikishvili said Georgia ranks among the world's leading countries by the share of international students, but the high concentration from a single country poses risks. She recommended expanding recruitment to other markets, including the Middle East, and broadening the range of academic programs.
Commenting on the government's decision to introduce quotas for foreign students at public universities, she said the move could benefit local students by easing pressure on academic resources, although it may reduce university revenues. She stressed that long-term growth will depend on attracting students from a wider range of countries.
