The Economic Potential of Educational Migration for Saint Petersburg: a Quantitative Assessment of Aggregate Demand by International Students

  In the context of the active implementation of Russia’s state policy to expand the export of higher education, numerous studies have recently emerged on the attractiveness of Russian universities and the prospects of educational migration. However, the scientific literature lacks quantitative assessments of the economic impact generated by international students during their residence and studies in specific regions.  This study aims to determine the extent to which international educational migration to Saint Petersburg can be regarded as a stable resource for regional economic development through the formation of additional aggregate consumer demand.  The research is grounded in the export base theory, which interprets educational migration as a form of service export that injects exogenous demand. The analysis draws on official statistical data and the results of an online survey of 478 international students from 64 countries conducted in 2025. Based on these data, direct annual expenditures were estimated for both degree-seeking students and those enrolled in residency, postgraduate and adjunct programs. The findings show that the total consumer demand generated by international students in 2024 ranged from RUB 12.07 to 14.98 billion, including tuition fees. Their contribution is most pronounced in higher education, pharmaceutical retail and medical services, as well as the culture and leisure sector.  The study concludes that international educational migration constitutes a stable but quantitatively limited source of exogenous demand. Limitations of the research are associated with sample representativeness and the methodology used to account for expenditures.  Future studies could focus on assessing indirect and induced economic effects.