The 2013 edition of annual QS Top MBA Applicant Survey, produced since the 1990s, provides an in-depth look at the career goals, motivations and demographic trends of the business leaders of the future.

Survey report of QS MBA

As well as facts and statistics, taken from a survey of over 4,100 MBA applicants from across the world

The report contains expert analysis from authors Danny Byrne and Nunzio Quacquarelli, and commentary from representatives of a global range of elite business schools.

This year's key findings include

Average target salary of MBA applicants has fallen from US$126,500 to US$113,000.

The mean age of MBA applicants is higher in every region than in 2008, despite a single year drop in the global average.

The proportion of candidates who aim to be running their own business in 10 years continues to drop.

The percentage of MBA applicants who are relying on a scholarship has risen from 45% in 2008 to 61.1%.

Number of MBA applicants thinking of studying India and China has increased substantially.

Survey data collected are compared with earlier data collected from more than 83,000 individuals.

With analysis of survey responses available for all world regions, including 30 specific countries, this is the largest data source of its kind.