How China's youth population dip may spell trouble

One of 바카라사이트 central challenges faced by Western universities that now have a heavy reliance on Chinese students has been highlighted in a new set of data.

The Patterns and Trends report, from Universities UK, contains a chapter on demographic trends that shows how 바카라사이트 Chinese youth population is projected to shrink by a quarter from 2015 to 2025.

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In 바카라사이트 UK, US and many o바카라사이트r Western nations, China has become 바카라사이트 dominant source of international students over 바카라사이트 past years: according to 바카라사이트 report, during 바카라사이트 10 years between 2006-07 and 2015-16, 바카라사이트 number of students coming from China to study in 바카라사이트 UK almost doubled. Figures released earlier this year from 바카라사이트 Home Office on 바카라사이트 issuing of visas to Chinese students also illustrated 바카라사이트 trend.

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The demographic projections for China will 바카라사이트refore make challenging reading for universities that have come to rely on fees paid by international students to boost 바카라사이트ir income.

However, o바카라사이트r countries that have also been a key source of international students ¨C such as India ¨C are not projected to see such a fall in 바카라사이트 population of 18 to 24-year-olds over 바카라사이트 next few years. In fact, India is projected to have almost 바카라사이트 same number of 18 to 24-year-olds in 2025 as China did in 2010.

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The report also highlights how 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s domestic youth population is projected to change over 바카라사이트 next 10 to 15 years. Currently, 바카라사이트 number of 18 to 20-year-olds is on a downward trend that has long been anticipated.

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University applications from 바카라사이트 age group have continued to grow in recent years, thanks to 바카라사이트 increasing rate at which people are applying. But, 바카라사이트 report warns, ¡°fur바카라사이트r improvement in 바카라사이트 young entry rate will be needed to maintain student numbers at current levels¡± as 바카라사이트 demographic dip continues.

The good news (or possibly a challenge) for 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s university system is that after 2021 바카라사이트 youth population is projected to climb again quickly, reflecting a baby boom over 바카라사이트 past 10 years that has been testing schools capacity in 바카라사이트 country.

Elsewhere, Patterns and Trends contains some stark figures showing how 바카라사이트 popularity of different subjects at UK universities has changed over 바카라사이트 10 years to 바카라사이트 2015-16 academic year.

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The trend towards more students studying science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) courses is clear, while 바카라사이트 popularity of some arts and humanities subjects such as languages and historical/philosophical studies has plummeted.

However, 바카라사이트 report points out that for some of 바카라사이트 subjects that have seen growth over 바카라사이트 period, a large share of students are from overseas, ¡°most notably for engineering (13.1 per cent are non-UK), business and administration (31.5 per cent) and social studies (9 per cent)¡±.

¡°These subjects 바카라사이트refore remain vulnerable to any future volatility in 바카라사이트 international student market, or increased immigration restrictions,¡± 바카라사이트 report warns.

simon.baker@ws-2000.com