The bar chart compares how many English competent immigrants of European and Middle Eastern and Asian origins arrived in England and Wales before 1961 to 2011
Overall, it is clear that the figures for three continents were erratic/unstable throughout the given period/over the course of/during more than fifty years. Also, there were considerable differences in the numbers between European, and Middle Eastern and Asian having/achieving proficiency in English , but the latter dominated most of the (specified/given) time.
In finer details between 1971 and 1980, almost twice as many English proficient speakers originating from ME and Asia immigrated to the UK as those from Europe with approximately 150,000. In contrast, more than triple and nearly double as European immigrants who mastered English arrived in the U.K as their counterparts before 1961 and between 2004 and 2006, respectively. Strikingly, the number of Europeans was comparable to that of Middle Easterners and Asians between 1994 and 1996 as well in the final point of time.
What stands out in European group prior to 1961 to 1993 is that a dramatic decline of 240,000 had been witnessed. Over the next twelve years, it increased significantly from just under 100,000 to around 550,000, followed by a substantial reduction to around 220,000 in the end.
It can also be seen in the remainder before 1961 to 1990, the figure had registered a minimal increase from just under 100,000 to almost 300,000. In the remaining years, the pattern was similar to European group, which also stood at around 220,000.