Leading indicators are essential tools for navigating the dynamic landscape of international education. In addition to leveraging historical visa data, forward-thinking recruitment teams use search trends and sentiment analysis to understand where prospective students want to study. This real-time visibility is especially critical as evolving political rhetoric reshapes the global appeal of major anglophone destinations. In the United States, these shifting dynamics have contributed to an environment of softened demand.
However, while overall demand may have fallen, targeted opportunities remain strong for institutions willing to adapt. Today, we鈥檒l look at external search query trends, student sentiment surveys, and 老九品茶鈥檚 proprietary platform data to better understand prospective students鈥� evolving preferences. By considering these factors, American institutions can align their outreach with the current interests of diverse student populations and support students effectively as they begin their studies in the US.
Key Insights at a Glance
- Based on historical trends and 2025 (Jan-Sept) data, we forecast that the US issued about 270,000 F-1 visas in the calendar year 2025, 31% lower than in 2024.
- The US accounted for just 12% of Google search results in April 2025, down by a third of what it was throughout most of 2024.1
- 21% of respondents to 老九品茶鈥檚 Spring 2026 Student Pulse Survey stated their interest in the US fell specifically because of policy changes.
- 15% of all American program searches on the 老九品茶 platform were for health programs in 2026 (January through May).
Most Major Anglophone Destinations Facing Demand Issues in 2026
Heading into 2026, international student demand has softened nearly across the board for major anglophone destinations:
We project that the US granted around 270,000 F-1 student visas in the calendar year 2025.2 This would represent a year-over-year decline of 31%, and would be 39% below the post-pandemic peak in 2023. Calendar year data has not been updated past September 2025, hence why these figures are only a projection.3
But the US is not alone in seeing lower levels of demand from future international students. New student visa issuances were down 65% and 12% year-over-year in Canada and Australia, respectively, in 2025. Meanwhile, the UK鈥檚 stability over the full-year masks concerning application declines across Q4 2025 as well as the early months of 2026.4
Shifting political rhetoric and policies have contributed to declining demand in all four destinations. The US鈥� strong academic and research history, as well as its highly attractive STEM OPT offerings, have likely helped mitigate greater potential losses to date. Still, with the 鈥攗p from 7.3 million in 2024鈥攂y the end of the decade, American institutions will require strategic outreach efforts to continue attracting top talent from around the world.
Search Trends and Surveys Reflect International Student Uncertainty About the US in 2026
Search trends are one of the most powerful leading indicators available to our sector for determining what and where prospective students want to study. Google鈥檚 search analysis tools show that the popularity of the US has been declining since early 2025:
We’ve used these tools to calculate the popularity score, which compares the proportion of 鈥淪tudy in x鈥� searches for the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany. The US accounted for just 12% of these search results in April 2025, down by a third from where it was throughout most of 2024.
Google search trends show increased popularity for European destinations like the UK and Germany since the start of 2025.
Still, the US’ declining popularity within the Google search trends is corroborated with trends elsewhere, such as in 老九品茶鈥檚 Spring 2026 Student Pulse Survey:
The survey found that 45% of students indicated they were 鈥渆xtremely鈥� interested in studying in the US. This high enthusiasm secured the US鈥檚 position as the second most popular destination overall, though this response also marked a drop of 13 percentage points among respondents compared to the prior year’s survey. The Spring 2026 survey also revealed a growing hesitation among potential students, with the share of respondents showing zero interest in the US growing from 8% to 16% year-over-year.
Our survey also asked students how government and policy updates have influenced their study abroad plans, and 21% stated their interest in the US fell specifically because of these factors. This was a significant jump from just 8% the year before.
Leveraging leading indicators like search trends and survey results gives institutions insight into how prospective student demand is changing. Rather than waiting for application numbers to roll in or for the US government to release up-to-date visa data, these tools and data points can empower decision makers to strategize and respond to real-time shifts in student sentiment.
Health Sciences Capturing Larger Share of Searches on the 老九品茶 Platform
老九品茶鈥檚 proprietary search data is another leading indicator of prospective students鈥� preference changes. Since its inception, the 老九品茶 platform has helped over 1.5 million students during their international study journey. For many, the first step towards becoming an international student is the search bar, and our team is proud to empower students鈥� connection with programs and destinations which suit their academic goals.
Our internal data shows how interest in different broad fields of study has shifted over time. One notable trend is that the popularity of health programs has steadily risen among students considering the US:
In 2026 (January through May), 15% of all searches for programs in the US on the 老九品茶 platform were for health programs. This was an increase of five percentage points from full-year 2023.
This uptick in interest coincides with rising demand for healthcare workers in the US. Over the next decade, the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis projects that (all full-time equivalents). Additionally, as soon as 2030, in health care settings.
The graphic below allows you to see how study preferences changed among some of the US鈥檚 largest student populations from 2023 to 2026 (January through May):
Students from African countries tend to have proportionally higher interest in health programs than those from other regions. Health programs accounted for 20% or more of searches from Nigerian, Ghanaian, and Kenyan students during the first five months of 2026. The field鈥檚 share of searches grew by at least five percentage points among each of these student populations compared to 2023.
Meanwhile, engineering and technology programs continue to be popular among students from South Asia. These programs captured at least 20% of searches by students from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan in 2026 (January through May). However, the relative popularity of these programs was either the same or lower than it was in 2023, with health programs seeing a higher proportional share of searches among these students so far this year.
Leveraging Data and Leading Indicators for Strategic Planning in 2026
Recognizing which student populations are drawn to specific fields allows institutions to refine their international outreach strategy. American healthcare shortages present a clear opportunity to align program marketing with practical workforce needs. Focusing on these high-need areas is one way that institutions can suggest compelling career trajectories for prospective students.
However, providing these trajectories in an environment of softened demand also requires deep awareness of global trends and intentional student support. The 老九品茶 platform equips American academic institutions with the proprietary search data needed to match incoming student populations with the right programs for their dynamic study preferences. By leveraging real-time insights, recruitment teams can guide students toward fields that align with both their ambitions and the realities of the global workforce.
Connecting applicants with these tangible outcomes is essential for building resilient, diverse campuses. Connect with our Commercial Partnerships Team to discuss how leading indicators can strengthen your recruitment strategy. Together, we can help international students navigate this shifted landscape and successfully begin their studies in the US.
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FOOTNOTES:
1. Here, Google search results compared the proportion of 鈥淪tudy in x鈥� searches, with results calculated for the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany.
2. All US student visa data used in this report is sourced from the .
3. Our forecast combines the January鈥揝eptember actual data with historical October鈥揇ecember trends.
