Data released by the real estate company said trends in the size of the global student population and in the number of students who travel to Malaysia to study will make the country an international studies powerhouse by 2035.

In a statement, it said international students increased demand for rental properties in cities with large educational institutions, especially Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru.

Juwai IQI co-founder and group CEO Kashif Ansari said that after the pandemic, students from both secondary and tertiary institutions are increasingly choosing Malaysia.

“For example, in a typical year, data suggests that Malaysia hosts about 125,000 international students.

“About 70% of these students are in private higher education institutions. The others study in public universities and secondary schools,” he said.

Meanwhile, the education ministry said international students are even more valuable to the Malaysian economy than tourists.

“When Malaysia hits its target of 250,000 international students per year, that will mean an extra RM16 billion every year for the economy,” said the ministry.