With the Russia-Ukraine war entering its fourth year, Indian medical aspirants are turning eastward — not toward Moscow or Kyiv, but to Tbilisi, Georgia, a small European nation quickly becoming the next big destination for medical education.
Fresh data from the Reserve Bank of India’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) reveals a fivefold jump in Indian spending on education in Georgia — from $10.33 million in 2018-19 to $50.25 million in 2024-25.
The trend signals a massive migration of students once headed to Ukrainian universities, now seeking safety and stability elsewhere in Europe.
RBI Data: Georgia’s Rise, Ukraine’s Fall
Just a few years ago, Ukraine was among the top 10 destinations for Indian students. In 2020-21 and 2021-22, remittances for education there touched $39.12 million. But after Russia’s invasion in February 2022, those numbers crashed — from $14.8 million (2018-19) to just $2.4 million (2024-25).
In contrast, Georgia climbed the rankings dramatically. Once 21st on the list in 2018-19, it broke into the top 15 by 2022-23, and now sits at 12th place among global education destinations for Indian students.
Georgia’s Indian Student Boom
Government data submitted in Parliament in December 2024 paints the same picture:
- 2019: 4,148 Indian students in Georgia
- 2023: 10,470 students
That’s a 152% rise in just four years, as Georgia capitalized on its reputation as a cost-effective, Europe-adjacent, and safe alternative to war-affected regions.
Why Georgia Appeals to Indian Students
- European Proximity: Exposure to EU standards and travel access
- Affordability: Lower tuition and living costs than Western Europe
- Simple Residency Laws: Easy visa and post-graduation work permits
- Medical Reputation: MBBS, physiotherapy, and nursing programs with European accreditation
Expert Voices: ‘Georgia Became the Safer Choice’
“Georgia was already popular for its medical and paramedical courses,” said Pratibha Jain, CEO of Eduabroad Consulting. “After the war began, it became the go-to alternative for students who wanted European exposure but couldn’t continue in Ukraine. It’s affordable, safe, and offers simple residency options.”
However, Jain added that Russia remains a strong contender. “Some students still prefer Russian universities — especially in cities far from the conflict zone,” she said.
Russia’s Parallel Rise
Despite the war, Indian spending on education in Russia is rising sharply again. RBI data shows it touched $69.94 million in 2024-25, a 200% jump from $22.48 million the previous year. Except for a dip in 2022-23, Russia’s numbers have trended upward since 2018-19 ($14.82 million).
Russia’s ranking among preferred destinations has climbed from 23rd in 2018-19 to 11th in 2024-25, just one spot above Georgia.
Global Landscape: Mixed Fortunes for Traditional Hubs
In 2024-25, Canada, the USA, the UK, Australia, and Germany remained the top five education destinations for Indians, though trends are shifting:
- 🇺🇸 USA: 10% dip in education remittances
- 🇨🇦 Canada: Sharp 43% decline amid visa delays and policy tightening
- 🇦🇺 Australia: 5% drop
- 🇬🇧 UK: 12% increase
- 🇩🇪 Germany: Massive 70% jump, reflecting growing appeal of affordable EU education
What the Numbers Mean
Overall, even as India’s total education remittances dipped, Georgia bucked the trend — growing by 19% year-on-year in 2024-25.
This shift reflects a broader change in Indian students’ mindset: prioritizing safety, cost, and global recognition over legacy destinations. With European-style medical programs, simplified residency rules, and stable geopolitics, Georgia has quickly become a preferred alternative.
The Takeaway
The Russia-Ukraine conflict reshaped global education routes for Indian students — and Georgia emerged the unexpected winner.
From just over 4,000 Indian students in 2019 to more than 10,000 by 2023, and from $10 million to $50 million in remittances, Georgia’s transformation into a medical education hub underscores how global crises can redraw academic maps — one visa at a time.
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