Students abroad and return rates: 1,834 Macedonian citizens enrolled in Slovenia in 2025/2026, about a third do not return
In 2025/2026, 1,834 Macedonian citizens enrolled in Slovenia while roughly one third of students who study abroad do not come back after graduation.
About 5,300 foreign students studied in North Macedonia last year, and nearly half of them enrolled in programmes in the fields of health and social protection. At the same time, many Macedonian students choose neighbouring countries for their studies, with Slovenia and Greece among the most attractive destinations.
In the academic 2025/2026 year, 1,834 Macedonian citizens enrolled in universities in Slovenia. One important pull factor is the possibility to study tuition‑free at state faculties in Slovenia, a benefit often cited by students who decide to continue their education abroad.
At the same time, there is a persistent outflow after graduation: about a third of those who study abroad do not return to North Macedonia after completing their degrees. That trend raises questions about the long‑term impact on the domestic labour market and on the country’s ability to retain skilled professionals.
Push and pull in tertiary education
Students and analysts point to several pull factors abroad — lower or no tuition fees at public institutions, perceived higher wages, and the prospect of easier access to work markets in neighbouring EU states. On the push side, limited capacity at certain domestic programmes and the search for specialised training push candidates to look beyond the country’s borders.
For policymakers the combination of growing inbound foreign enrollment in North Macedonia and the steady emigration of Macedonian graduates poses a policy dilemma: how to strengthen the domestic higher education offer and job opportunities while maintaining openness to international students.
Possible responses include expanding scholarship schemes, improving links between universities and industry, easing recognition of foreign qualifications for returning graduates, and targeted incentives to attract alumni back to North Macedonia. Reliable, up‑to‑date data on graduate mobility will be crucial to measure the effectiveness of any policy changes.
Photo: press material from the event
