Last Updated:September 01, 2026, 15:03 IST

Around 87% of respondents and 92% of transitioning students said they would be likely to enrol in a programme offered by an internationally ranked university in India.

74% of respondents prioritise work-life balance over formal leadership positions, the report stated. (AI Image)

The traditional study-abroad route is losing some of its appeal among India’s Gen Z, with rising costs, visa uncertainty and changing post-study work rules prompting young Indians to reconsider overseas education.

According to a new report by Emeritus, nearly 48% of respondents who would consider studying abroad said their interest in overseas education had declined over the past year. The United States recorded the sharpest decline in preference, the report said.

The ‘India’s Gen Z Outlook 2026: Recalculating Education, Ambition, and Success — The No Cap Generation’ report is based on research involving 1,010 respondents aged 15 to 28 across three stages — pre-college, transitioning to higher education and early career — in major Indian metropolitan cities.

While interest in studying abroad has declined for some students, the report suggests that young Indians are not turning away from international education completely. Instead, many are looking for global learning opportunities that allow them to remain in India.

Around 87% of pre-college respondents and 92% of transitioning students said they would be likely or extremely likely to enrol in a programme offered by an internationally ranked university in India.

Among students transitioning to higher education, 69% said they would actively prefer an India-based international programme over studying abroad, mainly to avoid visa uncertainty.

Hybrid programmes are also gaining popularity. Interest in courses that combine study in India with overseas exposure, such as a semester exchange or time at an international university’s home campus, increased from 27% among pre-college respondents to 39% among transitioning students.

Work-life balance over leadership roles

Career expectations are changing as well. 74% of respondents prioritise work-life balance over formal leadership positions, while 65% believe a successful career does not necessarily require becoming an executive.

Despite the pressure to keep learning, 60% said they feel burned out by continuous upskilling. However, 75% still believe learning the right skills is essential to remain competitive.

It further highlighted the growing role of AI in education and career preparation. Around 82% of respondents use AI or GenAI tools at least weekly to learn or develop new skills.

At the same time, 65% of early-career respondents believe that having a degree alone is no longer enough to succeed in the job market.

The report also found that 79% want their careers to contribute positively to the environment, highlighting the growing importance of purpose alongside salary and career growth.

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Will study abroad interest continue declining for Indian Gen Z?

While interest in studying abroad has declined for nearly half of the Indian Gen Z respondents who would consider it, they are not turning away from international education completely. Instead, many young Indians are shifting their preferences toward international programmes based in India or hybrid options to avoid visa uncertainty and rising costs.

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