United Arab Emirates among top 50 global countries in research share according to Nature Index 2020 Annual Tables

2^nd in Arab countries research share

5^th in MENA and Western Asia research share

41^st in both Chemistry and Earth and environmental sciences research share

In the Nature Index 2020 Annual Tables^*, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is among the top 50 global countries in research share for the third year in row, and one position higher (48th) than the previous two years. The Emirates has achieved a remarkable increase of 18% in adjusted research Share^** and 39% in research count. The UAE is the 2nd in Arab countries¹, and 5th in both MENA² and western Asia regions in research share.

UAE is the only other Arab country alongside Saudi Arabia to make the top global countries list. The Kingdom remains the first in Arab countries and is 29^th in top 50 global countries in research share.

This year’s Nature Index Annual Tables includes nineteen Arab countries, the longest list from three years which reserved the first three positions for Saudi Arabia, UAE and Egypt respectively since 2017. On the same list, the UAE has been the second contributor to research share and has achieved 10% of the overall Arab countries research share in 2019.

By subject, the UAE is also among the top 50 countries in both Chemistry and Earth and environmental sciences. Holding position 41 in both subjects, it has achieved a change in adjusted Share of 70% and 40% respectively. At the Arab countries level, it came second by share in Chemistry and Earth and environmental sciences, third in Physical sciences and fourth in Life sciences.

David Swinbanks, Founder of the Nature Index, said: “UAE continues its rise in the top 50 global countries in Nature Index Tables having entered at 49^th in 2018 UAE and has now moved up to 48th in 2020 after being 49th for two years. By subject, the Emirates was also among the top 50 achievers in both Earth and environmental sciences and chemistry since 2018 and has almost doubled its share in chemistry since then. So a player to watch in the Middle East in the years ahead.”

By UAE academic institutions, Khalifa University of Science and Technology remains the first achiever from three years in spite of its share decline in 2019. Followed by the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) which jumped two positions this year, both are on the top fifteen list in the Arab countries. UAEU is also the only university that witnessed an increase in both research share and count this year.

The top fifteen academic institutions in the Arab countries include from UAE – Khalifa University of Science and Technology and United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), from Saudi Arabia – King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), King Abdulaziz University (KAU), King Saud University (KSU) and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), from Lebanon – American University of Beirut (AUB) and the new comer, Lebanese American University (LAU), from Egypt – Ain Shams University, Mansoura University and Cairo University (CU), from Oman – University of Nizwa, and from Morocco – Cadi Ayyad University (UCA).

At a global level, the institutions that feature most prominently in this year’s Nature Index Annual Tables, are large with considerable funding and reputation, as might be expected. The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Harvard University and the Max Planck Society continue to occupy the top tiers.

David Swinbanks, added: “While the annual tables are a good indicator of high quality research output in the natural sciences, we encourage readers to use the findings alongside other scientific outputs such as data, software and intellectual property when considering research quality and institutional performance.”

*This year’s Nature Index Annual Tables are based on full year 2019 data.

** When comparing data over time, Share values are adjusted to 2019 levels to account for the small annual variation in the total number of articles in the Nature Index journals.

1 Arab countries on Nature Index Tables 2020 are Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

2 MEA and MENA refer to the Middle East Africa and Middle East North Africa regions respectively. North Africa countries on Nature Index Tables 2020 are Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Sudan and Tunisia.

Note: The Nature Index is one indicator of institutional research performance. The metrics of Count and Share used to order Nature Index listings are based on an institution’s or country’s publication output in 82 natural science journals, selected on reputation by an independent panel of leading scientists in their fields. The Nature Index recognises that many other factors must be taken into account when considering research quality and institutional performance; Nature Index metrics alone should not be used to assess institutions or individuals. Nature Index data and methods are transparent and available under a creative commons license at natureindex.com.

Further Information
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Contact
Diala Ballout 
Springer Nature Group 
Corporate Communications
diala.ballout@springernature.com 

© Press Release 2020