The bar chart illustrates how many international students applied to universities located in a particular European country between 2004 and 2008.
Overall, there was a decrease in the number of applicants from China, while the US and Japan saw an increase. Notably, by the end of the period, significantly more US students applied to the universities compared to those from other countries. In contrast, Russia had the fewest applicants, though its numbers remained relatively stable throughout.
In the first year, the number of Chinese applicants was by far the highest, exceeding 25,000. This figure had declined steadily to approximately 18,000 by 2006, followed by a leveling off in 2007 and then a slight drop to 15,000 in the final year.
In contrast, a continual upward trend was observed in US applicant numbers, starting at roughly 13,000, reaching parity with China in 2006, before rising considerably to finish at China’s initial figure of over 25,000. Applications from Japan also increased over the period, albeit at a much lower rate, growing minimally from around 6,000 to 10,000 at the end of the timeframe.
Lastly, the universities in the country consistently received the fewest applications from Russian students, with their figures hovering around the 3,000 mark over the period in question.