Marketing English in Ireland (MEI) is thrilled to announce the continued growth and surpassing of pre-pandemic figures in Ireland’s English Language Education (ELE) sector, as highlighted in the MEI annual statistics report.

Key highlights from the report include:

☘ Overall Student Numbers and Weeks

The sector has experienced a significant 23% increase in student numbers and a 20% increase in student weeks between 2022 and 2023, showcasing a strong recovery and growth trajectory. The total number of students in MEI schools in 2023 was 128,297.

☘Mini-Stay Groups: The number of mini-stay groups attending MEI schools has surged from 23,626 to 39,844 students, indicating a substantial increase in short-term closed group programmes.

☘Junior Summer: While there has been a slight decrease in junior summer programmes, likely due to the increase in mini-stays, the overall student numbers have surpassed pre-pandemic levels.

☘Adult Programmes: The number of adult students has increased from 52,596 to 62,509, with notable increases in both EU and Non-EU students, reflecting the sector’s appeal to a diverse international audience.

☘East Asia: East Asian markets are making a strong comeback, with a significant increase in student numbers from countries such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, and Mongolia.

☘High School: The number of high school students has doubled from 1,250 to 2,500.

Sector Employment: The ELE sector has also seen positive trends in employment, with an 11.4% increase in the number of people employed across teaching, administrative, and support staff compared to 2022.  

MEI is proud to witness the remarkable recovery and growth of Ireland’s English Language Education sector and remains committed to providing high-quality education experiences for students from around the world. 

“MEI is delighted to see such impressive growth in Ireland’s English Language Education sector, surpassing pre-pandemic figures and welcoming students from around the world. The increase in student numbers, across all programmes and a diverse network of source markets, demonstrates the sector’s resilience and appeal. We are committed to providing exceptional education experiences and look forward to continuing to contribute to the growth and success of Ireland’s international education sector.”