The Fastest-Growing International Student Groups in Korea

When people talk about international students in Korea, the conversation usually stops at the biggest numbers: Vietnam and China together account for well over half of everyone studying here. But the biggest group and the fastest-growing group are not the same thing, and the growth figures tell a very different story. Here is how the nine countries we cover rank by year-over-year growth, using Korea's Ministry of Justice immigration statistics as of July 2026: 1. Bangladesh - +118.5% (7,157 students) 2. Nepal - +57.2% (20,886 students) 3. Kyrgyzstan - +40.5% (2,815 students) 4. Uzbekistan - +29.2% (21,873 students) 5. Pakistan - +25.0% (2,577 students) 6. Vietnam - +17.2% (124,380 students) 7. Indonesia - +10.9% (2,472 students) 8. Mongolia - +10.3% (18,570 students) 9. China - +1.6% (72,673 students) Bangladesh stands out: the number of Bangladeshi students in Korea more than doubled in a single year. Nepal, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are all growing at double-digit rates as well, while China - still the second-largest group overall - has essentially flattened at +1.6%. What this means if you are applying: a fast-growing group is usually a sign that the pathway is working. More seniors from your country are already on campus, more universities have experience processing documents from your country's institutions, and more of the questions you are about to ask have already been answered by someone in your exact situation. It can also mean more competition for the same seats and scholarships, so applying early matters more than it used to. Source: Ministry of Justice (법무부) immigration statistics, D-2 and D-4-1 visa holders, as of July 2026. Check your own country's page for the visa, document and financial-proof rules that apply to you.