The bar chart compares the number of students from one country who were studying in five destinations in 2010 and in 2020, in thousands.
Overall, the total number of students abroad increased, with four of the five destinations attracting more students in 2020. Canada showed the most dramatic growth, while the USA was the only country to record a fall.
In 2010 the USA was by far the most popular destination, with 90,000 students, followed by the UK with 60,000. By 2020 the American figure had slipped slightly to 85,000, whereas the UK rose to 70,000. As a result, the two countries were much closer in popularity.
The smaller destinations grew more rapidly. Australia attracted 35,000 students in 2010 and 55,000 in 2020. Germany's figure more than doubled over the decade, from 15,000 to 40,000. However, the most striking change was in Canada, which received only 20,000 students in 2010 but 75,000 in 2020, nearly four times as many. This moved Canada from fourth place to second, ahead of the UK and Australia, and just 10,000 behind the USA.