MBA popularity increase in Asia

Economic growth in Asia has spurred a wave of eager young workers to pursue MBAs, a wellspring that has drawn interest from the world's top business schools and burnished the reputation of Asian institutions offering business classes.




In 2010, business schools in Asia received almost 43,100 GMAT score reports from prospective students, more than double the amount in 2007, according to the Graduate Management Admission Council, which administers the test.



Almost 1 out of 3 people who sat for the business school entrance exam last year came from Asia, up from 25% four years earlier. And, the share of the Asian test-takers who are women is fast approaching 50%.




"Demand is coming from both sides," said Insead Dean Dipak Jain. "Companies are asking for well-qualified MBAs and students are also thinking that an MBA would be a good way to get a job."




The strength of the Asian economy has also drawn MBA candidates from outside the region. Almost 900 U.S. residents sent GMAT scores to Asian institutions last year. Insead tries to manage applications so that no more than 10% of its students hail from a single country.