International students contribute up to 5 billion euros to the French economy
Campus France worked with Kantar Public institute to conduct a survey with 10,000 international students to better understand their resources, spending and living conditions. The study assesses the economic impact of their presence in France: their contribution amounts to 5 billion euros for the country, i.e. a net positive balance of 1.35 billion euros taking into account related public expenditure. The survey also provides information about the positive long-term impact on France’s international image.
A large-scale survey
From February to April 2022, a 50 questions survey was distributed to 9,992 international students who stayed in France over the last three years.
Such sample is made representative of the 302,863 international students in France using statistical adjustments applied on four determining criteria: the geographical origin of the student, the type of higher education institution attended, the level of studies, and the benefit of scholarship grants from the French government.
How do international students finance their studies?
The survey identifies five main sources of funding: family and siblings are by far the most frequently cited source of funding (77%) and stand for 53% of income spent. Personal savings come next (48%). In third place are CAF subsidies (46%), followed by paid activities (student jobs, 34%). Finally, 18% of respondents said they financed their studies with studies scholarships granted by the governments of their home countries or by the French government. 48% of students worked during their studies. A majority of students declare that these jobs are essential to meet their spending.
The impact of the Covid-19 crisis
Though in the majority of cases the health crisis did not impact the length of stay (78%), 60% declare that it generated unexpected spendings (daily living expenses, return trips to the country of origin, health). The crisis had a negative impact on the sources of income for 62% of students, and to a lesser extent on the support provided by their families, which has decreased in 31% of cases. For 60% of students, the health crisis prevented relatives from visiting them in France.
5 billion euros in financial support in relation with the presence of international students in France
On average, international students spend 867 euros per month: 48% of this budget is for rent, 21% for daily living expenses (clothing, food). According to the results of the survey, they pay an average of 2,822 euros in tuition fees (including the CVEC tax).
Their stay also generates revenue for the French economy in a wide variety of sectors:
- The survey shows that 38% of respondents had visits from relatives during their stay (family and/or friends), and when this is the case, for an average total duration of 23 days
- They spend 1,692 euros on average on rail, air and road transports (excluding daily transport) to get to France.
- One out of four respondents took French classes before or during their stay in France, 58% of them in French institutions, for an average cost of 1,632 euros.
- 20% of respondents declared that they took various jobs in France during their study period, and 28% only one job. This represents an average of €13,300 and €7,800 in employee social security contributions respectively.
- For the students concerned by administrative processes, the cost of submitting a full “Etudes en France” application complete with visas and residence permits amount for 34.8 million euros in annual contribution.
In total, when all the revenue is added up over the period, the 300,000+ international students contribute up to 5 billion euros to the French economy.
Public spending is inferior to revenue: a net contribution of 1.35 billion euros
Several types of public expenditure are intended for international students in a given year:
- Share of domestic education spending for higher education attributable to international students: 3.1 billion euros. – Appendix 4.
- The total annual amount of scholarship grants from the French government for international students: 53 million euros.
- The amount of housing subsidies for international students: 206.6 million euros;
- Social security spending on international students: 247.2 million euros;
- The cost of public services (Campus France and diplomatic services) for international students in France and for cultural diplomacy and influence: 86.9 million euros.
By subtracting all the expenditure from the revenue, a net contribution of 1.35 billion euros is highlighted: this is the direct economic impact of international students in France.
The influence of France
In addition to the immediate economic benefit for the French economy, the survey highlights the long-term impact of the presence of international students on France’s international image.
According to the respondents, this stay in France has direct positive effects on the desire to work with French companies (88% of respondents), to buy French products (80%), or the desire to return to France for tourism (88%). International students will also be the France’s best ambassadors, recommending France as a destination for work (84%), holidays (93%), study (90%), or to live in (75%).
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