German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated he wouldn’t at the moment advocate younger folks research or work within the US, citing a altering “social local weather” and rising uncertainty round employment prospects.
Talking at a German Catholic gathering in Würzburg, Merz argued that Germany now supplied stronger long-term alternatives for younger folks navigating an more and more unstable world atmosphere.
“As we speak, I’d not advocate that my kids go to the US to obtain their training and work there,” acknowledged Merz. “A special social local weather has developed there. And immediately, even the best-educated folks within the US have nice problem discovering a job.”
The remarks additionally arrive at a delicate second for the US worldwide training sector, which below the Trump administration has confronted scrutiny over coverage inconsistency and political rhetoric surrounding worldwide college students.
One instance has been China, the place stakeholders have continued to specific warning across the US regardless of President Trump publicly praising the contribution of Chinese language college students to American increased training and acknowledging the significance of retaining worldwide expertise.
Consultants instructed The PIE Information that constructive rhetoric alone was unlikely to revive confidence with out clearer coverage path.
“Given the conflicting alerts from DHS, State, and the White Home, most Chinese language households are ready to see whether or not these statements translate into coverage motion or a significant enchancment in how Chinese language college students are handled on the bottom,” David Weeks, CEO of Dawn Worldwide, instructed The PIE.
It’s my agency conviction that there are few nations on the planet that provide such large alternatives, particularly for younger folks, as Germany does
Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor
The remarks additionally come as Germany data continued development in worldwide pupil enrolments. Based on Wissenschaft weltoffen 2025 knowledge, worldwide pupil enrolments in Germany rose almost 6% to greater than 402,000 within the 2024/25 winter semester, whereas first-year worldwide enrolments reached a report 116,600.
India remained the most important supply nation with slightly below 59,000 college students, up 20% year-on-year.
Nevertheless, Germany continues to face challenges round housing shortages, labour market integration and language obstacles for worldwide college students.
Earlier PIE reporting additionally highlighted that solely round one-third of worldwide college students in Germany really feel adequately ready to start their careers within the nation regardless of ongoing expert labour shortages.
However Merz argued that Germany’s social market financial system and labour constructions supplied stronger prospects for younger professionals.
“It’s my agency conviction that there are few nations on the planet that provide such large alternatives, particularly for younger folks, as Germany does,” he added.
