• Harvard falls behind Zhejiang University and University of Toronto in 2025 Leiden Rankings
  • China now has 365 universities in global ranking, the most of any nation
  • Bibliometric shift reflects China’s focused investment in research output over past decade
CAMBRIDGE, MA (TDR) — Harvard University has slipped to third place in the 2025 CWTS Leiden Ranking, marking a historic shift as Chinese institutions led by Zhejiang University claim the top position in global research productivity. The annual bibliometric assessment, released Thursday, shows China now has 365 universities among the 1,594 ranked institutions — the largest national representation in the ranking’s history.
The Leiden Rankings, produced by the Centre for Science and Technology Studies at Leiden University, measure scientific impact based on publications and citations in the Web of Science database. Unlike reputation-driven rankings, Leiden focuses exclusively on research output metrics, making it a key indicator of academic productivity and collaboration patterns.
“This represents a fundamental shift in global academic leadership,” said Dr. Caroline Wagner, a science policy expert at Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology. “Chinese universities have systematically built their research capacity through sustained government investment and strategic planning.”

China’s Research Investment Pays Off

The ranking change reflects more than a decade of Chinese government initiatives aimed at boosting research productivity. Between 2010 and 2020, the number of Chinese universities in global top-500 rankings more than tripled from 23 to 71 institutions, according to CSET analysis.
“China’s rise isn’t accidental — it’s the result of deliberate policy choices and massive resource allocation,” said Dr. Simon Marginson, director of the Centre for Global Higher Education at the University of Oxford. “The 985 and 211 projects, followed by the Double First-Class initiative, created a systematic approach to building world-class research universities.”
Zhejiang University’s rise to the top spot demonstrates China’s focused approach. The university’s research output in high-impact journals has increased dramatically, particularly in biomedical sciences and engineering — fields that generate high citation rates.

American Universities Face New Challenges

Harvard’s drop to third place — behind Zhejiang and the University of Toronto — signals broader challenges facing American research institutions. While U.S. universities still produce more PhDs and maintain stronger international reputations, their dominance in research productivity metrics is waning.
“American universities are facing a perfect storm of challenges,” said Dr. Michael Crow, president of Arizona State University. “Federal research funding has been flat for years, while China has increased its research and development spending by double digits annually.”
The shift comes as U.S. research institutions grapple with funding constraints, immigration restrictions affecting international talent, and political pressures on academic freedom. Meanwhile, Chinese universities benefit from substantial government investment, streamlined bureaucracy, and focused research priorities.

Bibliometric Methodology Drives Results

The Leiden Rankings use fractional counting methodology, which gives partial credit for collaborative publications based on institutional affiliation. This approach favors institutions that produce large volumes of collaborative research — a strategy Chinese universities have embraced.
“Chinese institutions have become masters of strategic collaboration,” explained Dr. Lutz Bornmann, a bibliometric expert at the Max Planck Society. “They understand that international collaboration, especially with European and American partners, significantly boosts citation impact.”
The rankings consider publications from 2019-2022, with citations counted through 2024. Chinese universities have excelled in producing papers that reach the top 10% of most-cited publications globally — a key metric in the Leiden methodology.

Global Implications for Higher Education

The shift has implications beyond academic prestige. Research productivity often correlates with technological innovation, economic competitiveness, and national influence. As Chinese universities climb the rankings, they increasingly attract top international talent and research partnerships.
“This isn’t just about bragging rights — it’s about where the world’s best minds choose to work and study,” said Dr. Jenny Lee, a higher education expert at the University of Arizona. “The gravitational center of global higher education is shifting eastward.”
The trend shows no signs of slowing. China continues to invest heavily in research infrastructure, with plans to increase R&D spending to 3% of GDP by 2030. Meanwhile, American universities face uncertain funding prospects and political headwinds.

Future Rankings May Show Continued Shift

Experts predict the bibliometric gap may continue widening as China’s research investment compounds. The country now publishes more scientific papers than any other nation, and the quality of those publications — as measured by citation impact — continues improving.
“We’re witnessing a fundamental rebalancing of global academic power,” said Dr. Wagner. “American universities need to adapt quickly or risk losing their competitive edge in research productivity.”
The question now facing American higher education: how to maintain excellence while adapting to a new global landscape where Chinese institutions set the pace for research output. As Harvard’s third-place finish demonstrates, even the most prestigious American universities can no longer take their global dominance for granted.

Will American universities respond with increased research investment, or will China’s academic rise continue unchallenged?

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