Band 7+: The chart below shows the number of international applicants from four countries that a European university had from 2004 and 2008. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

The chart illustrates the number of international applicants from European universities between 2004 and 2008. Overall, the trends were mixed, with some countries showing an increase in applicants while others experienced a decline.

At the beginning of the period, China recorded the highest number of participants. The most noticeable change was the rapid increase in participants from the USA, while Japan saw a slight rise and showed consistent stability. In 2004, China accounted for the largest share of international applicants at over 25,000, followed by the USA with over 10,000, Japan with over 5,000, and Russia with the lowest figure at just below 5,000.

By 2008, the number of applicants from the USA had risen to over 25,000, whereas the number from China had declined significantly. After four years, the USA overtook China to become the country with the largest number of international participants in European universities. Meanwhile, Japan remained stable, while China fell to 15,000 and Russia increased slightly to just above 5,000.