The provided bar chart illustrates how many candidates from four different nations applied for universities in a particular European country from 2004 to 2008.
From an overall perspective, the USA and Japan dominated the number of university applicants during the period shown, while the opposite was true for Russia. Additionally, the number of American and Japanese candidates experienced an increasing trend over the time frame, whereas that of Chinese applicants displayed an opposing trajectory.
In terms of the USA and China, over 26000 applicants from China enrolled in universities at the outset, more than double that from America. The figure for China was followed by a consistent decline to half of its initial level at slightly over 15000 in the final year. In contrast, the statistics for the USA came in second at roughly 14000 candidates in 2004, before witnessing an ascending trend to 26000 people in the subsequent four years, making it the largest group of applicants.
As for Japan and Russia, the number of Japanese students mirrored the same rising pattern, increasing from 6000 in 2004 to 10000 at the end. On the other hand, Russia recorded the least number of applicants at only 2500 in the first year, remaining stable from then onwards and continuing to hold the bottom position throughout the period.