Fewer Germans Moving to the USA and Canada – Only Mexico Is Gaining Popularity

Compared to 2005, the number of German departures to the USA has thus declined significantly. "Die Fortzüge in die USA lagen 2025 damit gut ein Drittel (-35 Prozent) unter denen von 2005," it was stated. In 2005, approximately 13,600 Germans had relocated their residence to the USA. Despite the decline, the United States remains one of the most popular emigration destinations: Only Austria, Spain, and Switzerland attracted more Germans last year.

Decline in the USA and Canada

Canada, the second host country of the World Cup, has also noticeably lost its appeal in recent years. "Auch in das zweite Gastgeberland Kanada sind vergangenes Jahr deutlich weniger Deutsche ausgewandert als 2005," the Federal Statistical Office announced. The number fell over the course of ten years from approximately 3,000 to about 1,800 people – a decline of roughly 39 percent.

A different picture emerges for Mexico, the third World Cup host country. "Nur Mexiko, das dritte Gastgeberland der diesjährigen Fußball-WM, wurde laut Statistikerinnen und Statistikern bei den Deutschen beliebter," the analysis states. Approximately 800 Germans moved there in 2025, compared to just under 600 twenty years earlier.

Mexico as the Exception to the Trend

The FIFA World Cup kicks off Thursday and will be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The Federal Statistical Office published the migration data on the occasion of this major sporting event in order to illustrate the change in migration movements to the three host countries.

Overall, the statistics show that the traditional North American destinations have lost appeal for German emigrants. The agency does not provide reasons for the decline in the present analysis. It is notable, however, that Mexico is the only one of the three World Cup host countries to record a slight increase – a trend that may possibly be related to growing economic and cultural ties.

The figures come from the migration statistics of the Federal Statistical Office, headquartered in Wiesbaden. The agency records the departures of German nationals abroad on an annual basis. The current data refer to the 2025 migration year and were distributed via the dpa news channel.