Full Breakdown
Decline of Malaysian Students in Taiwan Amidst Surge from Vietnam
3/30/2026, 1:07:22 PM
Overview of the Shift in Student Demographics
Taiwan has seen a significant change in its international student demographics, with Malaysian students historically being the largest group now being surpassed by Vietnamese students. In 2024, the number of Malaysian students in Taiwan dropped below 10,000 for the first time in a decade, totaling 9,686, while Vietnamese student numbers surged to nearly 40,000, up from around 4,000 in 2015. This shift is part of Taiwan's broader strategy to address declining university enrollment due to a falling birth rate.
Factors Influencing the Decline of Malaysian Students
Several factors contribute to the declining interest among Malaysian students in pursuing higher education in Taiwan. The Malaysian government has promoted private higher education institutions since the 1990s, leading to a significant increase in local enrollment, which reached 639,754 in 2024. This trend has resulted in many Malaysian students opting to study domestically rather than abroad.
Malaysian students also face increased competition from other countries. In 2025, the number of Malaysian students in China surpassed those in Taiwan, indicating a shift in preference influenced by cultural ties and exposure to Chinese media. Television host Darren Ch’ng noted that his younger cousin chose to study in China due to a stronger emotional connection with Chinese entertainment.
Appeal of Vietnamese Students to Taiwan
Vietnamese students are increasingly attracted to Taiwan due to various factors, including generous scholarship offerings and the island's advanced technology sector. Le Tan Vinh, a Vietnamese graduate, highlighted that Taiwan's educational opportunities and job prospects in tech and engineering were significant draws. The Taiwanese government has actively recruited students from Southeast Asia as part of its New Southbound Policy, aiming to strengthen ties with 18 countries in the region.
Criticism of Taiwan's Recruitment Strategies
Despite Taiwan's efforts to attract international students, some critics argue that the island has not effectively utilized social media to reach potential Malaysian students. Chew Ru Xuan, a Malaysian pursuing a master's degree in Taiwan, pointed out that Taiwanese universities have not leveraged popular platforms like Xiaohongshu and TikTok, which are widely used by Malaysian youth. This lack of engagement may hinder Taiwan's ability to compete with universities in China, Europe, and the United States.
Official Responses and Future Directions
In response to the declining numbers, the Federation of Alumni Association of Taiwan Universities in Malaysia is actively promoting Taiwanese higher education in semi-urban and rural areas, where students may have less exposure to international opportunities. The federation's president, Pang King Hoe, emphasized the importance of outreach to these communities.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Taiwan is much more developed than Vietnam, and there are good employment opportunities in the tech and engineering industries – I’ve been able to get a good job after graduation and stay on to work,” — Le Tan Vinh, Graduate
- “Emotionally and intellectually, he feels closer to China than to Taiwan,” — Darren Ch’ng, Television Host
- “Chinese, European and American universities attract students with strong campus content, but Taiwan has banned platforms like Xiaohongshu and TikTok, which are popular among Malaysian youth. How can it reach them?” — Chew Ru Xuan, Master's Student
This evolving landscape of international education in Taiwan reflects broader trends in regional demographics and cultural influences, highlighting the need for strategic adjustments in recruitment efforts to maintain Taiwan's appeal to Malaysian students.
