TL;DR
Between 2018 and 2024, at least 842 Indian students died abroad. The vast majority of these deaths, 96%, were due to medical causes, suicides, accidents, and other causes, while 4% were the result of violent attacks. The United States, UAE, and Canada recorded the highest fatalities, highlighting the risks Indian students face in popular education destinations.
Context
India has one of the world’s largest student populations pursuing higher education abroad, with over 1.33 million students studying in foreign universities as of January 2024. While overseas education offers academic and professional opportunities, it also brings challenges related to mental health, safety, and healthcare access. This data sheds light on the unfortunate reality of student deaths, offering a quantitative look at the scale and nature of these incidents.
Who Compiles This Data?
The data on country-wise Indian student deaths abroad due to medical causes, suicides, accidents, and violent attacks is compiled by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and shared occasionally in response to questions in Parliament and to Right to Information applications.
Where can I download Clean & Structured Data about the Indian Student Deaths Abroad?
Clean, structured, and ready-to-use datasets related to country-wise Indian Students who died due to Medical Causes, Suicides, Accidents and Violent Attacks can be downloaded from Dataful.
Key Insights
Prevalence of Non-Violent Causes
The data reveal that the primary causes of death for Indian students abroad are non-violent. Out of 842 deaths recorded, 807 (96%) were attributed to medical causes, suicides, accidents, and other causes. Only 35 deaths (4%) were due to violent attacks. This suggests that while safety is a concern, issues related to health, mental well-being, and accidents are the leading contributors to these tragic outcomes.
Top Countries with the Highest Casualties
The highest number of Indian student deaths abroad was reported in the United States, with 141 fatalities, reflecting its position as the most popular education destination for Indian students. The United Arab Emirates followed with 133 deaths, highlighting that even in countries with strong work–education linkages, student safety concerns persist. Canada reported 119 deaths, a figure that aligns with its rising Indian student population and the increasing reports of suicides and accidents in recent years. Meanwhile, Qatar (57 deaths) and Australia (53 deaths) rounded out the top five, underscoring that risks extend across both Western and Gulf destinations.
Violent Attacks Are Relatively Few but Notable
Although the majority of deaths were linked to medical causes, suicides, and accidents, a smaller number were attributed to violent attacks. Canada reported 17 deaths, the United States reported 9 deaths, while Australia reported 3. In contrast, countries like the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and the United Kingdom reported no student deaths from violent incidents, suggesting that the level of risk varies significantly across host countries.
Why Does It Matter?
The data provides a critical perspective on the vulnerabilities of Indian students living and studying in foreign countries. It highlights the need for a multi-pronged approach from various stakeholders:
- Policymakers and the MEA: The data can inform policy decisions regarding consular services, student welfare programs, and diplomatic engagements with host countries.
- Universities Abroad: Universities can strengthen their support systems, including mental health services, student orientation programs, and partnerships with local authorities to ensure student safety.
- Families and Students: Awareness of these statistics can help families and students make informed decisions, prepare for potential risks, and prioritise access to support networks.
Key Numbers (from 2018 to 2024)
- Total number of deaths of Indian students abroad:
842 - Deaths Due to Medical Causes, Suicides, and Accidents:
807 - Deaths Due to Violent Attacks:
35 - Top 5 Countries with the Highest Casualties:
USA (141), UAE (133), Canada (119), Qatar (57) and Australia (56)
