Degree-related and temporary study-related international mobility of German students, since 1991

In 2021, around 137,700 German nationals were studying abroad; this figure has thus dwindled by roughly 2% (around 141,000) since 2016. Nonetheless, from a broader perspective, the number of internationally mobile German students has quadrupled since 1991 and more than doubled since 2000. These students are predominantly, but not exclusively, seeking a degree abroad.
Considering temporary study-related visits abroad undertaken by German students, between 1991 and 2000, the share of students (in later semesters) with temporary visits abroad shot up from 20% to 32%, stabilising at this level until 2006. Since then, however, this percentage has steadily fallen, scoring 19% in the most recent survey in 2021.