In absolute terms, the United States (129) and the United Kingdom (47) lead the ranking of the world best natural sciences universities, all disciplines included, ahead of France, China, Switzerland and Australia in this order. However, in per capita terms, small nations shine brighter once more. Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, United Kingdom and Singapore fill the five top slots.
Universities in the Top 50 | |||
Nation | Number in Top 50 | Population ¹ | Ratio per Capita |
| Australia | 11 | 24.5 | 44.8 |
| Austria | 1 | 8.6 | 11.6 |
| Belgium | 2 | 11.3 | 17.8 |
| Canada | 10 | 36.6 | 27.3 |
| China | 15 | 1,415.8 | 1.1 |
| Denmark | 5 | 5.7 | 87.6 |
| Finland | 3 | 5.5 | 54.6 |
| France | 23 | 65.6 | 35.0 |
| Germany | 3 | 82.3 | 3.6 |
| Israel | 2 | 8.1 | 24.6 |
| Italy | 2 | 61.3 | 3.3 |
| Japan | 11 | 126.3 | 8.7 |
| Korea, Rep. of | 1 | 50.2 | 2.0 |
| Netherlands | 5 | 16.9 | 29.5 |
| Norway | 2 | 5.2 | 38.1 |
| Russia | 1 | 141.3 | 0.7 |
| Saudi Arabia | 1 | 30.9 | 3.2 |
| Singapore | 4 | 5.8 | 68.8 |
| Spain | 1 | 47.5 | 2.1 |
| Sweden | 8 | 9.8 | 81.4 |
| Switzerland | 15 | 8.4 | 178.5 |
| United Kingdom | 47 | 64.6 | 72.8 |
| United States | 129 | 330.3 | 39.1 |
| Average | 36.4 | ||
| Total | 302 | ||
| ¹ UN estimates for 2017. | |||
Sources: Institute of Higher Education, Shanghai.
