German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said he would not currently recommend young people study or work in the US, citing a changing “social climate” and growing uncertainty around employment prospects.
Speaking at a German Catholic gathering in Würzburg, Merz argued that Germany now offered stronger long-term opportunities for young people navigating an increasingly volatile global environment.
“Today, I would not recommend that my children go to the US to receive their education and work there,” stated Merz. “A different social climate has developed there. And today, even the best-educated people in the US have great difficulty finding a job.”
The remarks also arrive at a sensitive moment for the US international education sector, which under the Trump administration has faced scrutiny over policy inconsistency and political rhetoric surrounding international students.
One example has been China, where stakeholders have continued to express caution around the US despite President Trump publicly praising the contribution of Chinese students to American higher education and acknowledging the importance of retaining international talent.
Experts told The PIE News that positive rhetoric alone was unlikely to restore confidence without clearer policy direction.
“Given the conflicting signals from DHS, State, and the White House, most Chinese families are waiting to see whether these statements translate into policy action or a meaningful improvement in how Chinese students are treated on the ground,” David Weeks, CEO of Sunrise International, told The PIE.
It is my firm conviction that there are few countries in the world that offer such tremendous opportunities, especially for young people, as Germany does
Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor
The remarks also come as Germany records continued growth in international student enrolments. According to Wissenschaft weltoffen 2025 data, international student enrolments in Germany rose nearly 6% to more than 402,000 in the 2024/25 winter semester, while first-year international enrolments reached a record 116,600.
India remained the largest source country with just under 59,000 students, up 20% year-on-year.
However, Germany continues to face challenges around housing shortages, labour market integration and language barriers for international students.
Previous PIE reporting also highlighted that only around one-third of international students in Germany feel adequately prepared to begin their careers in the country despite ongoing skilled labour shortages.
But Merz argued that Germany’s social market economy and labour structures offered stronger prospects for young professionals.
“It is my firm conviction that there are few countries in the world that offer such tremendous opportunities, especially for young people, as Germany does,” he added.
