Science Nation Insights

Germany as a Science Nation

Germany's research system is defined by its deep tradition and robust infrastructure, particularly in its non-university sector. Institutions like the Fraunhofer Society and Max Planck Society are central to its success, ensuring a strong research base that is tightly linked to industry. This close collaboration has given Germany one of the highest rates of academic-industry co-publication globally, making it a highly effective engine for applied innovation and technology transfer, particularly in engineering and manufacturing. Its leading position is further reinforced by having attracted the highest number of publications funded by the European Research Council (ERC) since 2020.

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Italy as a Science Nation

Italy has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past two decades, rising to become the world's sixth-most productive scientific nation in terms of research volumes, and the second within the EU. This growth is especially notable as it contrasts with the declining research footprints of other established powers. Italian research boasts a high scientific impact, with citation levels that surpass the global average, including those of the United States and China. Its strengths are particularly pronounced in Clinical and Health research, and its scientific output has a tangible influence on policymaking, with its research frequently cited in government policy documents at a rate above the EU average.

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Norway as a Science Nation

The Nordic nations of Norway and Sweden highlight the power of collaboration and strategic focus. Despite its small size, Norway's research output has grown significantly faster than the EU average, achieving an exceptionally high scientific impact that is 63% above the world average. This is primarily driven by an extraordinary commitment to collaboration—both internationally and between academia and industry. Norway's rate of academic-corporate co-publications is higher than that of the US, UK, and Germany, and its research has an outstanding impact on policy, with a citation rate in policy documents more than double the EU average.

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Sweden as a Science Nation

Sweden shares this collaborative spirit, with a research ecosystem that excels due to its "Triple Helix" model, uniting academia, industry, and government. This has resulted in a high rate of knowledge transfer and a vibrant innovation culture. The nation is a global leader in environmental technology, life sciences, and information and communication technology (ICT), with its research in key technologies like AI and quantum technologies being particularly well-cited.

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Netherlands as a Science Nation

The Netherlands has become a global leader by strategically concentrating its expertise on a few key sectors. Its "Golden Triangle" model of public-private-academia collaboration has created world-class competencies in agri-food, water management, and logistics. This focused approach has made the Netherlands a powerhouse in precision agriculture and a global expert in managing complex water systems. The impact of Dutch research is exceptionally high, with citation levels 72% above the world average, and it leads globally in the influence its scientific output has on government policy, with a citation rate in policy documents that is double the EU average.

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New Zealand as a Science Nation

New Zealand, with just over 5 million residents and geographically distant from many of the world’s major science and technology hubs, might not seem an obvious scientific powerhouse. Yet a new report from Elsevier reveals a nation whose scientific contributions exceed expectations. As the country embarks on a sweeping restructuring of its research and innovation system, the findings offer a timely baseline—and a challenge to policymakers and institutions aiming to future-proof New Zealand’s science footprint.

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U.S. research and innovation performance: Outcomes and impact in critical and emerging technology areas

As a prominent player in the global research landscape, the U.S. not only demonstrates disciplinary depth and breadth in its research output (as measured by publications) but also stands out for its impact on cross-disciplinary science and technology research in critical and emerging technology areas. Both academic and industry research outputs have high citation impact; these trends are further enhanced when the publications derive from industry-academic collaboration.

Read the report “U.S. research and innovation performance: Outcomes and impact in critical and emerging technology areas”

UK research and innovation performance: A global node for collaboration and innovation

As a prominent player in the global research landscape, the UK not only demonstrates impressive growth in scholarly output but also stands out for its quality, with high citation rates, and commitment to international collaboration. Universities are at the heart of this research excellence, as the driving force of UK research publications and a hub for business collaboration. With notable strength in addressing pressing societal challenges, particularly in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UK research plays a vital role in shaping both national and global advancements.

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Scotland research and innovation performance: A dynamic hub for quality and global collaboration

Scotland sets the standard for research collaboration, as a global leader in international and business collaboration. Research in Scotland has many clear strengths, notably on environmental topics associated with Sustainable Development Goals (Climate Action, Life Below Water, Life on Land) that align with Scottish Government’s agenda. As a vibrant and growing player in the global research landscape, Scotland not only demonstrates robust growth in scholarly output but also excels in research quality, with citation impact well above the global average. Scottish universities are the driving force behind this excellence, leading scholarly publications and fostering strong partnerships with industry.

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Biodiversity Research in 2024: A global perspective with a focus on Latin America

Elsevier’s global analysis of research publications shows that biodiversity research has a significant impact on global policy, with Latin America a key player. The relative activity of the region is three times the world average. Latin American scholars publish substantially more on biodiversity research compared to their overall contribution to global research. In this region, Brazil is particularly strong, with 20 of the top 30 most prolific universities for biodiversity research in Latin America.

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The Netherlands and Japan as partners in scientific innovation, medicine, and clean energy

This set of reports highlights the success of research collaboration between the Netherlands and Japan, showing its critical role in advancing innovation. With their collaboration extending back 425 years, the Netherlands and Japan have forged a strong relationship supported by academia, corporations and government. In 2025, the common ground between Japan and the Netherlands remains solid and holds great potential.

Read the reports "The Netherlands and Japan as partners in scientific innovation, medicine, and clean energy"