While it’s already 2026, racism is still prevalent in many countries, especially for Indian students.
Countries like Iran, Belarus, Myanmar, and even South Korea rank among the worst countries for racial equity according to US News Racial Equality rankings.
Not every country treats its international students fairly and kindly; that’s why it’s important to do research, like looking up the least racist countries for Indian students
The number of Indian international students continues to grow overseas, especially in the least racist countries for Indian students.
The least racist countries for Indian students: why is it important to know them?
Every year, many Indian students choose to study abroad, seek opportunities and experience life beyond their home country. It’s a good opportunity to explore new cultures, enhance their skills, meet new people and even learn a new language.
In 2025, there were about1.2 million Indian students studying abroad.
Choosing to study abroad, however, comes with its own set of challenges.When Indian students live in a foreign country, racial discrimination often comes hand in hand with this.
Experiencing this can take a toll on international students and causepsychological distress. Some cases even escalate to bodily harm; in Australia, two international students were assaulted.
Devarshi Deka was left a paraplegic after he was allegedly assaulted. Deepinderjeet “Deep” Singh drowned when he was allegedly pushed into the Hobart harbour in an alleged attempted robbery.
While eradicating racism completely is going to take some time, the government and universities can take action to reduce the amount of racial discrimination that international students face.
Top countries Indian students are choosing in 2026
While popular destinations such as the US, UK, Canada, and Australia continue to attract the majority of Indian students, many are now exploring other options that offer affordability, strong job prospects, and welcoming communities.
On that list is Germany. The country has gained popularity thanks to its low or no tuition fees at many public universities. Countries like Ireland, New Zealand, and the Netherlands are also gaining attention due to their post-study work opportunities.
As for many, studying abroad is only the first step. Many consider long-term opportunities, including employment and the possibility of building a future in their chosen country.
When it comes to studying abroad, university rankings aren’t the only factor students consider. They consider safety, inclusivity, affordability, and career opportunities when choosing their study-abroad destination.
Several countries have begun taking steps to make their countries more accommodating and welcoming for international students, particularly Indian students. So if you’re an Indian student lookingto study abroad, here is a list of the least racist countries to study in:
Strong laws and policies against racism are crucial to be one of the least racist countries for Indian students.
9 best countries with the least racism against Indian students:
These nine countries rank best for racial equity according to US News & World Report.
Denmark
Denmark tops the list for countries that are the least racist towards international students, including Indian ones. It’s a popular destination for higher education, offering quality education, English-taught programmes, and a welcoming local community.
The country has enacted strong anti-discrimination laws, such as the Act on Ethnic Equal Treatment (Act no. 374 of 2003), that prohibit differential treatment based on race.
The government has also taken steps to improve the handling of hate crimes by strengthening police and prosecution services and enhancing police training in these specific areas.
It’s also one of the happiest nations in the world, ranking 2nd globally in 2025.
New Zealand
New Zealand is considered one of the best countries in the world for international students. It is praised for its safety, peace, cleanliness, and diverse population.
As such, many international students choose to study in New Zealand — this includes Indian students.
The country is leveraging scholarships, streamlined visa policies and strong post-study work opportunities to attract global talent. A projected 95,000-100,000 students entered the country in late 2024.
The Human Rights Commission launched the country’sfirst anti-racism campaign. In just a month, they reached four million people, and this number continues to rise.
NZ universities have also made an effort to fight against racism. The University of Waikato, for example, is aiming to becomethe country’s first anti-racist institute.
In the 2025 World Happiness Report, the Netherlands ranks 5th in the world.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands is one of the least racist countries for Indian students, and is home to quality education with many job opportunities. In 2024, the country admitted 3,504 Indian students, all studying across top-ranking universities.
Kavana Desai, author at Dutchreview.com, says, “Coming from India, where being overly polite goes a long way, Dutch directness was one of the most refreshing things for me to experience.”
But as blunt as the Dutch are in their mannerisms, they are very tolerant towards outsiders, or non-Dutch people.
Several agencies, such as the Public Prosecution Service and the anti-discrimination services, are involved in the fight against discrimination. The Netherlands has legislation that prohibits direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment) and victimisation.
Finland is most popularly known for being the happiest country in the world.
Finland
Not only is Finland one of the happiest countries in the world, but it is also one of the least racist countries for Indian students.
Despite the recent proposed hike in tuition fees, students continue to consider it a preferable option due to the country’s safe, clean, and diverse environment.
The country’s Constitution and the Non-Discrimination Act prohibit discrimination based on ethnicity, nationality, and religion. There is a zero-tolerance policy toward racism, making it a safe place for international students.
Additionally, immigration has increased Finland’s diversity in recent years, and many support programmes promote work-related immigration and integration.
Canada
Aside from its beautiful landscapes, Canada is known for being peaceful, extremely friendly and having a multicultural environment.
While the country has become thesecond most popular study-abroad destination among Indian students, Canada has also introduced a cap on new study permits and changes in work eligibility. Full-time students will no longer be permitted to work in excess of 20 hours per week.
But despite these changes, the country’s multicultural and welcoming nature allows Indians to feel safe and supported.There are set laws and programmes that protect its people against discrimination, which includes gender, race or ethnicity.
Sourav De is an Indian national who received his PhD from a Taiwanese university and is currently an assistant professor of electrical engineering in Taiwan. Source: Sourav De
Taiwan
For many Indian students, Taiwan stands out as one of the most welcoming and inclusive places to study.
Unlike some countries where racial bias or stereotypes may affect the student experience, Indian students in Taiwan often report feeling safe, respected, and valued.
Locals tend to be friendly and curious about different cultures, making it easier for international students to integrate both on and off campus.
Sourav De, an Assistant Professor at National Tsing Hua University and a former international student in Taiwan, agrees.
“It was difficult making a life for myself in Taiwan as there were not many Indian foreigners at the time,” he says. “ But Taiwan is very friendly towards foreigners. I still remember the strangers who drove me to the supermarket because I didn’t know where it was.”
De’s take on this welcoming attitude he received was not to downplay any racism but to understand that there is a fine line between ignorance and purposefully acting on it.
“Racism comes in different forms, and it is everywhere in the world,” he says. “However, we will need to differentiate racism from curiosity or ignorance. If people want to discriminate against you, they will discriminate against you.”
Singapore
Known as Asia’s most peaceful and safest nation, it is no surprise that Singapore is on the list of the least racist countries for Indian students.
In fact, it is considered one of the top and most common study abroad destinations for Indian students.
As a multicultural nation, Singapore is home to many races. Here, Chinese, Malay, Indian, and other communities live side by side. This means that you can still celebrate common festivals like Diwali, Holi, and Eid.
The country also has strict laws against crimes, good public infrastructure, and a high standard of cleanliness.
Because of all this, many Indian students feel that they have a better chance to focus on their studies, build friendships, and maintain their cultural identity without constant worry.
One Quora user shared his experience, “Singapore is a good choice for Indian undergrad students. It offers a liberal, multicultural, and active environment.”
Germany
Germany consistently ranks among the top study abroad destinations for Indian students.
Aside from its high reputation for engineering, technology, and research, the country is known for its welcoming community.
That makes it easier for Indian students to find support, join cultural associations, and build connections as they adapt to life abroad.
With affordable tuition fees and strong post-study employment opportunities, Germany has become a top option for Indian students.
Philippines
The Philippines has become a popular study destination for Indian students. In fact, the country is globally recognised as one of the world’s most welcoming.
According to US News & World Report, the Philippines ranks 19th among the Friendliest Countries in the World.
The country’s affordability, combined with its welcoming community, has made it a popular choice for Indian students looking to study abroad without moving too far away from home.
Disclaimer: This article was last updated on June 23, 2026.
