The bar chart and table show information about students from abroad studying in four English-speaking countries in 2004 and 2012. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The bar chart and table compare the numbers and proportions of foreign students in four English-speaking countries in 2004 and 2012.

Overall

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, the number of international students increased in all four countries over the period.

However

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,

while

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their proportion of the total student population

also

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rose in the UK,

Australia

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and Canada, it remained unchanged in the

USA

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.

Australia

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had by far the highest proportion in both years,

whereas

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the

USA

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recorded the lowest. In terms of numbers, the

USA

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had the largest foreign-student population in both years, rising from approximately 180,000 in 2004 to just under 250,000 in 2012. The UK and

Australia

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started at a similar level of around 120,000, but the former grew to about 200,000, slightly exceeding

Australia

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at 190,000. Canada had by far the smallest number, increasing from roughly 40,000 to 60,000. The table shows a different pattern in terms of proportions.

Australia

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recorded the highest figures, increasing from 19% to 24%, followed by the UK, which rose from 9% to 13%. Canada experienced a more modest increase of two percentage points, from 5% to 7%.

By contrast

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, the proportion in the

USA

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remained unchanged at 2%, despite the substantial growth in the absolute number of foreign students.