Two graphs, spanning 4-year chucks from 1976 to 2024. First graph show the number of countries represented in 4S Council, and second shows the number of US members of Council during that period. There were 3 countries represented and 88 U.S. council members in 1976-1980, 4 countries and 74 U.S.-ians in 1981-85, 6 countries and 53 U.S.-ians in 1986-90, 5 countries and 60 U.S.-ians in 1991-95, 6 countries and 40 U.S.-ians in 1996-200, 6 countries and and 53 U.S.-ians 2001-05, 7 countries and 36 U.S.-ians in 2006-10, 8 countries and 47 U.S.-ians in 2011-15, 12 countries and 37 U.S.-ians in 2016-20, and 12 countries and 35 U.S.-ians in 2021-24. The caption explains that "Council tenure lasts 3 years, but council memebrs are renewed in different years. We considered a period of 5 years to capture its changing composition."
From 4S President Wen-Hua Kuo's last message to the Society membership, showing the gradual decrease in dominance of US and UK membership and the gradual diversification of members in respect to country of origin or residence.
