Foreign students annually contribute 179 mln USD to Latvian economy: think tank

Foreign students' contribution to the Latvian economy is nearly 170 million euros (179.4 million U.S. dollars) each year, according to a study conducted by Certus think tank on foreigners studying at Latvia's universities and colleges.

Daunis Auers, Certus research director and an associate professor at the University of Latvia, said on Latvian public radio on Wednesday that among other things, the study analyzed the foreign students' impact on the Latvian economy.

Citing research data, Auers said that the foreign students spend 84 million euros a year in Latvia, but that in combination with indirect factors which provide another 80 million euros, their total contribution to the Baltic country's economy is roughly 170 million euros.

At the time when the research was carried out, Latvia's institutions of higher education had 5,500 foreigners registered as students.

The number of foreign students in Latvia has risen to 6,300 this year, Auers said, adding that the figure keeps growing.

Meanwhile, Riga Stradins University (RSU), whose medical study programs are especially popular among foreign students, is already "full" and cannot enroll more foreigners unless substantial investments are made to boost the university's capacity.

The Certus expert said the 848 foreign students surveyed as part of the study like to live and learn in Riga. "They are very satisfied with their life in Riga and the quality of their studies," Auers said, noting that RSU students were particularly happy. (1 euro = 1.06 U.S. dollars) Endit