The tables illustrate the number of international students studying in Canada and the US based on their nationality from 202 to 2003
Overall, Canada and the US experienced an upward trend in the international student numbers over the period shown, except for Indian students who studied in the USA, it also recorded a different trend compared to other countries. Another prominent feature is that Chinese students accounted for the highest proportion in both Canada and the USA.
In Canada, the total number of foreign students rose significantly from 59,870 in 2002 to 70,004 in 2003, with a 17% increase. Chinese students saw the most dramatic growth, surging by 45% to reach 7,850 students. Indian students also increased moderately by 35%, from 2,100 to nearly 3,000 students, although their total number of students was still the lowest among 3 remaining groups . Meanwhile, the number of the USA students studying in Canada witnessed a slight rise by 9%, reaching 5,450 in the final year.
By contrast, the USA had a much larger overall international students,starting at 581,600 students in 2002 to 592,230 in 2003, representing a 2% rise. Chinese students soared mildly by 6% to under 120,000. The highest climb was witnessed in the Canadian students, growing by 7% to 33,170. Otherwise, even though Indian students formed the largest group, their numbers dropped dramatically by 9% to 182,000 at the end of the timeframe.