Playernumbers Decreasing?

I just wondered if anyone else noticed that the 'Countries with President' on the Main-Page is constantly decreasing?
I think when I first started to look at that number (about when the GC-Trading was changed) it was about 10k Countries now down to about 9k.
Is that just false observation or am I right?
And if I'm right does anybody (including GMs) know if its 'just' less average countries per player or if its from less players?

I'm going to say less average countries per player. However, the vast majority of "players" have looked to be short-term free accounts for quite some time.

They talk less too.

True Story.

But if its less free accounts its also less new prem accounts, considering that a fixed percentage thinks of commiting Long-term.

anyway, a short comment from andy would be nice if this is caused by less countries per player and/or by decreasing user numbers