China still tops list of international students in Malaysia, but other markets are growing, says EMGS

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 — While China remains Malaysia’s largest source of international students, the Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) said applications from other countries are growing.

EMGS chairman Datuk Ahmad Shalimin Ahmad Shaffie said China accounted for approximately 41 per cent of applications in 2023, but the proportion has since declined as Malaysia attracts students from more markets.

“By 2025, East Asia as a whole, including China, accounted for less than 37 per cent. In the first four months of 2026, China’s share stood at approximately 27 per cent.

“Alongside continued growth in total applications, these figures indicate an increasingly important contribution from other markets,” he said in a statement.