WASHINGTON: The number of international students studying in the United States increased by eight percent to an all-time high of 671,616 in the 2008/09 academic year than the previous year, a survey has found.

This represents the largest percentage increase in international student enrollments since the 1980/81 academic year, according to the Open Doors 2009 survey, whose results were published Monday.

"The all-time high number ... testifies to the quality and diversity for which American higher education is known around the world," Judith McHale, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, said Monday at the National Press Club in Washington.

The survey received funding from the US State Department.

International students reportedly contribute 17.8 billion dollars to the US economy, according to the US Department of Commerce, while enriching US campuses and communities with their talent and diverse perspectives.

According to the report, the number of Americans studying abroad increased by 8.5 percent to 262,416 in the 2007/08 academic year. Britain, Italy, Spain, France and China are top five leading destinations for US students.

Commenting on the steady growth, McHale said studying abroad can help US students "understand our interconnected world and participate productively in the global economy."