The bar graph compares the number of applicants to universities across China, Japan, the U.S., and Russia over a four-year period starting in 2004.
Overall, the figures of applicants in the U.S. and Japan increased throughout the span, while the latter remained predominant. Conversely, there was a decrease in the number of Chinese candidates.
Focusing on the U.S.A., the number of hopefuls to universities was over 50,000 in 2004, but it grew moderately, making up 10,000 in 2008. Similarly, there was a significant ascent in the quantity of people to higher degrees in Japan in 2004 and 2008, below 15,000 and above 25,000 accordingly. It was the predominant over that period.
The figure of candidators to a bachelor’s degree in China, on the other hand, was dominant in the initial year, constituting roughly 27,000. Nevertheless, the number declined sharply by 15,000 in 2008. Conversely, Russian applicants to universities stayed as a constant over the whole period, around 30,000.