China Surpasses US In Tally Of Top Scientists For The Very First Time

A report looking at data from 2020 to 2024 found that China has overtaken the United States in the number of top scientists, a major shift in global scientific leadership. The study finds that China’s share of the global talent pool increased from 17% to 28% as the number of high-level science and technology talents jumped from 18,805 in 2020 to 32,511 in 2024.

On the other hand, the number of top scientists in the United States decreased from 36,599 in 2020 to 31,781 in 2024. The reduction has reduced the U.S.’s share of the global pool from about 33% to 27%.

The report defines high-level science and technology talent as researchers who have published influential papers in leading international academic journals. The researchers compiled the data by analyzing more than 40,000 highly cited papers from 2020 to 2024 in 129 top-tier journals in a wide range of scientific disciplines.

This development reflects China’s growing importance in global scientific research, which has been fueled by large investments in education, research infrastructure, and talent acquisition. At the same time, the United States is struggling to maintain its leadership position, as its funding for research and development is declining, policy is uncertain, and it is competing internationally for scientific talent.

It is part of a broader trend of rebalancing in the global research landscape. Experts say that Chinese researchers are playing an increasingly important role in science and technology, changing the face of science and technology around the world, with implications for innovation and economic growth.

As China continues to rise in the global scientific community, it’s unclear how the United States and other countries will adjust to the changing dynamics of scientific leadership. The report marks a critical juncture in the competition over who will produce knowledge and innovate on the global stage.

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