The bar chart presented here depicts the number of four countries across the globe that are applying for a European university from 2004 to 2008. International students were from China, Japan, America, and Russia.
Overall, Chinese students accounted for the major share of international students in 2004, but their numbers significantly declined throughout the four years. American students applying over four years experienced significant fluctuations but saw a sharp increase by the end. Also number of Russian applicants was the lowest among the rest of the students from 2004 to 2008.
Looking into the details, the number of Chinese students in 2004 was more than 25000 which constituted the highest portion of international students in 2004. We can see a drastic reduction in the number of Chinese applicants from 2005 to 2008. It decreased to just over 20000 in 2005 to exactly15000 in 2008.
Moreover, the number of American students was exactly 20000 in 2004, then it fell to 15000 in 2005. Next, it rose to well above 15000 in 2006. Also, they went down significantly to 10000 in 2007 and then we can see a sharp growth which was well above 25000 in 2008. Japanese students witnessed a moderate escalation which doubled throughout the four years. Additionally, Russian applicants fluctuated slightly. They grew gradually from 2004 to 2007 then they went down sharply to considerably below 5000 in 2008.