The bar chart illustrates the number of applicants to a UK university from four regions – European Nations, the Middle East, the Far East, and Africa – over a five-year period from 1999 to 2003.
Overall, while applications from European Nations experienced a consistent decline, those from the Far East showed a marked increase, overtaking Europe to become the leading source by the end of the period. The Middle East displayed fluctuations but ended on an upward note, whereas Africa saw a modest yet steady rise, remaining the smallest contributor throughout.
In 1999, European Nations accounted for the highest number of applicants at approximately 30,000, but this figure fell steadily each year, reaching just under 20,000 by 2003 – a decrease of around one-third. In contrast, the Far East began with about 15,000 applicants, which rose significantly to over 30,000 by 2003, representing the most substantial growth and the highest total in the final year.
Applications from the Middle East started at roughly 10,000 in 1999 and fluctuated over the period: they peaked at around 20,000 in 2001 before dipping to 15,000 in 2002 and recovering to approximately 20,000 by 2003. Similarly, Africa, which had the lowest figures throughout, began with under 5,000 applicants and doubled to about 7,000 by the end, following a gradual upward trend