International Students in France Contribute Nearly €5 Billion to the Country's Economy

International students in France spend a large budget during their studies in the country, specifically contributing nearly €5 billion to the French economy, according to a survey of Campus France and Kantar Public institute involving about 10,000 international students studying in France over the past three years.

The survey was carried out this year between February and April, aiming to better understand the financial situation and living conditions of international students in France as well as to collect information about France’s image internationally, Erudera.com reports.

“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 Campus France report reads.

Statistics show that international students in France spend €867 monthly, 48 percent on rent, and 21 percent to cover daily expenses such as food or clothes. The report also states that students pay €2,822 in tuition fees.

Findings indicate that most international students in France (77 percent) receive support from their family and siblings whereas other sources of funding for students are personal savings (48 percent), CAF subsidies (46 percent), and paid activities such as student jobs (34 percent).

About 18 percent of students participating in the survey said they are scholarship recipients and finance their studies through scholarships granted from governments of their home countries or the French government.

On the other hand, another group of international students said that the main source of funding is their job. About 48 percent of respondents said that they worked during their studies, with the majority stating that these jobs are vital for them to cover expenses for the duration of their stay in the country as students.

For most students, the COVID-19 pandemic that erupted in 2020 had a major impact on their spending, with 60 percent saying that it has caused unexpected spending, including daily expenses, travel to their home country, health, etc. Furthermore, the pandemic has also negatively affected the sources of income for 62 percent of students, and the support that many received from their families dropped by 31 percent.

Some 60 percent of respondents stated that their relatives could not visit them back then due to COVID-19. Many students said the pandemic didn’t impact their length of stay in France. According to the survey results, this rate is 78 percent of respondents.

>> France Records Highest Number of International Students in 15 Years

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