The bar chart illustrates the proportion of women pursuing higher education after high school in five countries between 1980 and 2015. The measurements were indicated as percentages. Overall, it is evident from the chart that the trend for women to pursue higher education was upward across the five countries over the period.
In detail, there were clear differences between 1980 and 2015. In the USA, the gap in the number of women going to higher education widened significantly, standing at just below 40% in 1980 compared to just under 60% in 2015. Similarly, in the UK, the number of women pursuing higher education experienced a sharp increase, constituting approximately 35% in 1980 compared to about 55% in the following thirty-five years.
Interestingly, women in Australia accounted for an equal proportion, standing at about 58% both in 1980 and in 2015. However, in France, there was a small increase in the proportion, starting at 50% in 1980 and approximately 54% in 2015. The figure for women in South Korea accounted for the lowest proportion among the other four countries, standing at just 15% in 1980 compared to 30% in 2015, pointing out a doubling over the period.
It can be understood that the proportion of women pursuing a degree increased correspondingly in the five countries. The most noticeable change was indicated by the UK and the USA, whereas South Korea displayed a similar increase despite accounting for the lowest figures. Strikingly, Australia managed to maintain the exact same figure over the time frame.