The line graph compares figures for the undergraduate student population in four European countries over the period from 1995 to 2015.
Overall, student numbers increased in all countries, with the exception of Sweden. Having been the leading country initially, Sweden experienced a significant decrease. Spain recorded the highest numbers by the end of the period, while Greece consistently had the lowest.
In terms of substantially increasing trends, Spain reported a constant rise from just over 250,000 in 1995 to the peak growth of 350,000 students in 2010, but this figure had decreased to 310,000 by 2015. However, Spain retained its leading position since the early 2000s. Greece also showed a gradual rise from around 100,000 to 180,000 students over the period, although it remained the country with the lowest student population throughout.
As for mixed trends, the number of students in Sweden fell from 350,000, the highest figure in 1995, to 300,000 students in 2000 and stayed unchanged until 2010. The final 5 years saw a further decline to its bottom value of 200,000, which was just over that of Greece. Turning to Austria, the figure showed a period of relative stability, decreasing by about 20,000 students to approximately 220,000 till 2010. The figure for Austria eventually soared to about 270,000 students, having become the second largest student population after Spain.