Ireland’s English language sector hits record highs amid shifting global trends

Ireland’s English Language Education (ELE) sector welcomed a record 128,761 international students in 2024, contributing €792 million to the economy — all while navigating shorter stays, rising operational costs, and stiffening international competition.

Mini-stays for juniors are surging, up 12% in student numbers, highlighting the growth of short, immersive group experiences. Yet, adult learners — who stay longer and spend more — continue to drive the sector’s economic weight, accounting for 84% of all student weeks. Latin America remains dominant, but China is gaining ground with 74% growth in student enrolments.

Despite recovering to 109% of pre-pandemic levels, the sector faces headwinds: tighter visa rules, recruitment challenges, and policy unpredictability risk slowing momentum. There’s growing pressure for clearer immigration alignment and stronger government backing to maintain Ireland’s edge in the global education market.

Read the full article for key data and what it means for future investment opportunities.