Market intelligence for international student recruitment from ICEF
30th Apr 2025

ICEF Podcast: Is the domestic enrolment cliff a global phenomenon?

Listen in as ICEF’s Craig Riggs and Martijn van de Veen recap some recent industry developments, including a sharp increase in proof of funds requirements in Ireland and how international education is factoring in this week's national election in Australia.

Our focus this time is on declining, domestic college-aged populations that are projected for a number of countries, including the United States, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Each is exploring solutions to the so-called "enrolment cliff" in order to shore up post-secondary enrolment, ensure the financial stability of higher education institutions, enhance the diversity and global competitiveness of their campuses, and continue to attract new talent. As you might guess, international education factors in many of those plans.

Joining our hosts to explore this important issue are Angel Ahmed, Founder and CEO of GNET-Global Network and Kirsten Feddersen, Vice President of Partnerships, USA for IDP.

We conclude with a closer look at Thailand as the latest stop for our “Keys to the Market” segment.

You can listen right now in the player below, and we encourage you to subscribe via your favourite podcast app in order to receive future episodes automatically.

For additional background, please see:

Most Recent

  • Canada’s foreign enrolment has fallen by nearly 300,000 students over the last two years Read More
  • China: Two-thirds of new TNE partnerships are with countries outside the Big Four Read More
  • Vietnam: Students encouraged to obtain advanced technology degrees abroad Read More

Most Popular

  • Which countries will contribute the most to global student mobility in 2030? Read More
  • Research shows link between study abroad and poverty alleviation  Read More
  • Beyond the Big Four: How demand for study abroad is shifting to destinations in Asia and Europe Read More

Because you found this article interesting

China: Two-thirds of new TNE partnerships are with countries outside the Big Four China has been ramping up its transnational education (TNE) partnerships with other countries, with the Ministry of Education...
Read more
Vietnam: Students encouraged to obtain advanced technology degrees abroad Vietnam boasts one of the fastest-growing economies in the world (+8% in 2025), but its workforce cannot yet...
Read more
The Netherlands: Foreign enrolment slowdown driven by declining undergraduate numbers In 2024/25, 131,000 international students – including 51,800 new students – were enrolled in a degree programme offered by...
Read more
UK: International student numbers fall for second year, especially in postgraduate programmes A sharp year-over-year decline in non-EU students enrolling in UK universities in 2024/25 (-5%) is the main contributor...
Read more
Italy rises as a study destination but struggles to retain foreign graduates Italy is increasingly popular as a European study abroad destination, with international enrolments increasing by about +10% per...
Read more
Studies show countries “at the forefront of research” prioritise international collaborations and mobility Research shows that countries whose academics work frequently across borders with colleagues from another country – or from...
Read more
ICEF Podcast: Stop losing applicants: How qualification recognition drives seamless international enrolment Listen in as ICEF’s Craig Riggs and Martijn van de Veen recap some of the latest developments in...
Read more
How are Australian universities approaching international recruitment in 2026? Studymove founder Keri Ramirez recently presented a webinar anticipating trends in the Australian international education sector in 2026...
Read more
What are you looking for?
Quick Links