Client: RMIT University

The study examines the relationship between services trade restrictiveness and higher education performance across 21 APEC economies. The study develops a Services Trade Restrictiveness Index (STRI) specifically tailored to higher education services, adapting the OECD STRI methodology to assess regulatory barriers affecting cross-border higher education activities in 2018, 2020, and 2024. The analysis covers restrictions related to cross-border online education, recognition of foreign qualifications, student mobility, establishment of foreign higher education institutions, movement of education professionals, discriminatory measures, competition issues, and regulatory transparency.