In absolute terms, the United States (82) and the United Kingdom (21) lead the ranking of the world best life sciences universities, all disciplines included, ahead of Germany, Australia and the Netherlands, in this order. However, in per capita terms, small nations shine brighter once more. Denmark, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden fill the five top slots.
Universities in the Top 50 | |||
Nation | Number in Top 50 | Population ¹ | Ratio per Capita |
| Australia | 12 | 24.5 | 48.9 |
| Austria | 1 | 8.6 | 11.6 |
| Belgium | 4 | 11.3 | 35.5 |
| Brazil | 3 | 206.8 | 1.5 |
| Canada | 9 | 36.6 | 24.6 |
| China | 5 | 1,415.8 | 0.4 |
| Denmark | 5 | 5.7 | 87.6 |
| Finland | 2 | 5.5 | 36.4 |
| France | 7 | 65.6 | 10.7 |
| Germany | 13 | 82.3 | 15.8 |
| Italy | 2 | 61.3 | 3.3 |
| Japan | 3 | 126.3 | 2.4 |
| Netherlands | 10 | 16.9 | 59.1 |
| New Zealand | 1 | 4.7 | 21.3 |
| Norway | 3 | 5.2 | 57.1 |
| Singapore | 1 | 5.8 | 17.2 |
| South Africa | 1 | 54.2 | 1.8 |
| Spain | 5 | 47.5 | 10.5 |
| Sweden | 5 | 9.8 | 50.9 |
| Switzerland | 6 | 8.4 | 71.4 |
| United Kingdom | 21 | 64.6 | 32.5 |
| United States | 82 | 330.3 | 24.8 |
| Average | 28.4 | ||
| Total | 201 | ||
| ¹ UN estimates for 2017. Taiwan: 2016 estimate from CIA Factbook. | |||
Sources: Institute of Higher Education, Shanghai.
