The proportion of Shanghai women who have studied or plan to study abroad reached 50.1, slightly higher than that for young men, indicating that Shanghai females have a strong thirst for knowledge and set high standards for themselves, according to a survey of 12 qualified agencies for overseas study, the Youth Post reported today.

The 12 qualified agencies were approved by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Security and the State Administration of Industry and Commerce.

According to the survey, 60.8 percent of people studying or planning to study abroad were aged between 20 and 24, 27 percent between 15 and 19, and 10.1 percent between 25 and 29, with only 0.1 percent below 15. Parents are being more sensible nowadays about sending students overseas prematurely, said a survey analyst.

The survey indicated that 74.6 percent of interviewees found the study agencies through newspaper and magazines, 18.8 percent through friends or relatives, 16 percent from the Internet and only 4.3 percent through television.

The largest proportion of students going abroad were from families with a monthly income of 5,000-6,000 yuan (US$602-US$722) or over 10,000 yuan, with rates of 17.5 percent and 16.4 percent respectively, according to the survey.

Families with a monthly income between 6,000 and 10,000 yuan accounted for the lowest proportion, the survey indicated. This salary range allows families to lead a comfortable life and pursue a variety of interests, the analyst said.

Australia, New Zealand and the U.K. were the three top destinations for Shanghainese studying abroad, with 15.1 percent, 14.9 percent and 14.2 percent respectively, followed by Japan and Germany, according to the survey.

Agency fees were 27,500 yuan for studying in the U.S, more than 14,000 yuan for studying in Denmark and Canada, and 9,404 yuan for Japan.