Humans are complex beings, gifted with a multitude of qualities-- some innate, others acquired through exposure. Precisely pinpointing a metric to measure their brilliance is a daunting task. The world is filled with awe-inspiring scientists who have shaped and reshaped our understanding of Earth, the cosmos and their multifarious dynamics, researchers who have brought forth astounding findings, politicians who have redrawn boundaries between countries and etched their mark in history, as well as artists and musicians who have brought immense pleasure to the world. The list of diverse accomplishments that humans can possess is endless. They are all stars, shining brilliantly in their respective domains.
Preparing Generations of Brilliance
The students-- future pillars of all nations-- are unique individuals, each evolving along their path of knowledge. Over the years, significant emphasis has been placed on developing curricula that focus on critical thinking tools, participatory learning, and independent problem-solving techniques. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, in particular, has been hailed as the harbinger of future learning. Major countries like the US and Europe have predominantly incorporated it into their educational systems. However, with time, Asian countries such as China, India, South Korea, and Japan have also embraced this system. By 2020, China had emerged as the leading producer of STEM graduates, with 3.57 million, followed by India with 2.55 million and the US with 820,000 graduates.
STEM education is gaining even greater relevance in our technologically oriented world. The onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic and the global proliferation of educational apps have fostered an environment conducive to digital education. From 300,000 in 2011, the number of massive open online course learners has surged to 220 million in 2021. Additionally, numerous digital startups have emerged on the online education map, driven by the rise in US venture funding for Education Technology (EdTech). Notable companies, such as Coursera, Inc. (NYSE: COUR), have played a pivotal role in this transformative landscape.
Coursera, Inc. (NYSE: COUR) is an online platform that collaborates with over 300 universities and organizations, including prestigious institutions like Stanford, Duke, UC Berkeley, Dartmouth, Google (NASDAQ: GOOG), and IBM (NYSE:IBM). The platform provides online courses, certifications, and degrees across various subjects. Aligning with the contemporary needs, Coursera, Inc. (NYSE: COUR) CEO, Jeff Maggioncalda, explains how the company can assist students and professionals through adaptive and personalized learning experiences.
Research and Innovation Producing Brilliant Students
While investing in strong schools and effective teaching tactics is crucial at the foundational level, the fast-paced, technologically oriented world demands an even greater emphasis on continuous research and upgrading. In the contemporary era, countries allocate millions to research to ensure rapid and up-to-date progress. The United States has emerged as the country with the highest spending on academic Research and Development (R&D). According to 2020 OECD data, the U.S. invested $81 billion in this sector, followed by Germany with $28 billion, the United Kingdom and Japan each with $20 billion, and France with $18 billion. The 27 European Union countries, including Germany and France, collectively spent $100 billion in the year 2020. American universities, like John Hopkins, University of California, San Francisco, and University of Pennsylvania, are spearheading the growth in the R&D sector. In 2022, R&D spending by academic institutions in the country reached $97.8 billion, marking an $8 billion increase from 2021. Thus, it is no wonder that the world’s leading technologically innovative companies, such as Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META), and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), are situated in the U.S.
Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META), a technology pioneer for two decades, stands as one of the most widely used social media platforms globally. Originating from the mind of a brilliant psychology student at Harvard, the company swiftly captured the world's attention and continues to do so. With innovation as the cornerstone of their success, Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) recently entered into a collaboration with IBM (NYSE:IBM). Together, they have formed an industry group comprising more than 40 companies and organizations, aimed at establishing open-source artificial intelligence work. This initiative is designed to facilitate technology sharing and reduce associated risks.
20 Countries with Most Brilliant Students in the World
20 Countries with Most Brilliant Students in the World
Methodology
To compile our list of 20 Countries with Most Brilliant Students in the World, we have used the H-Index of the papers published in all the subject areas from the period of 1996-2022. H-Index is a robust measure of scholarly impact. We present our list in ascending order of H-Index. If you want to delve into the details of what H-index is, please refer to the methodology section in our piece on 15 Countries That Produce the Best Engineers in the World. We also use the OECD's "What Students Learn Matters: Towards a 21st Century Curriculum", 2020 report to quote data for percentage of lower secondary school teacher who encourage use of critical thinking and problem solving in their students as well as the percentage of curriculum that embeds critical thinking and problem solving.
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Let us now take a look at our list for 20 Countries with Most Brilliant Students in the World.
20. Finland
H Index: 793
Finland is renowned for having one of the best and most challenging education systems globally. While the early school years are relatively relaxed, the later years become progressively demanding, urging students to embrace a more application-oriented approach. Consequently, students in Finland excel in honing their acuity and thriving in creative endeavors. In 2022 alone, the country recorded 1,361 patent applications, and it boasts a high citation impact per paper, underscoring the quality of education that produces exceptionally brilliant students.
19. India
H Index: 795
India has secured a prominent position in the rankings among 12 Asian countries with the best education systems, boasting 45 high-ranking universities that offer students crucial platforms for growth. Notably, 15 Indian universities have earned spots in the top 1000 Academic Ranking of World Universities for 2023. As one of the most promising innovators on the global stage, the Indian student body is evidently making strides in the creative realm, providing tangible proof of their academic brilliance.
18. Austria
H Index: 822
As a part of the highly advanced European region, Austria boasts a well-developed public education system, securing the 14th position in the global ranking of the best education systems. According to the OECD report on the 21st-century curriculum, 35% of lower secondary teachers in Austria encourage students to solve problems based on their intuition, while an impressive 84% express confidence in their ability to greatly assist students in developing critical thinking skills. This approach is poised to nurture and produce brilliant students.
17. South Korea
H Index: 863
South Korea places significant emphasis on its education system, known for its rigor and competitiveness. Students in South Korea are exceptionally hardworking and operate within a culture of academic excellence. The OECD 2030 Curriculum Content Mapping exercise reveals that the country has integrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills into its future curriculum at an impressive rate of 83% each. These aspects are incorporated across all areas of study, including science, humanities, and the arts. Furthermore, 47% of lower secondary school teachers in South Korea frequently assign tasks that require students to engage in critical thinking.
16. Israel
H Index: 865
Israel is renowned for contributing to some of the world's best education systems, consistently producing brilliant students. The country is a hub of innovation, evident in the 1,527 patent applications filed in 2022. A significant majority of Israel’s lower secondary school teachers, standing at 79%, believe in their ability to nurture critical thinking skills in their students. Looking ahead to their 2030 curricular agenda, Israel aims to further emphasize critical thinking (85%) and problem-solving (83%) as integral components.
15. Denmark
H Index: 949
Denmark's education system is not only recognized as one of the toughest but also stands as one of the best globally. The emphasis is placed on encouraging students to cultivate an inquisitive mind and learn through practical and collaborative efforts. To ensure this, Denmark is actively engaged in teacher training, recognizing its pivotal role in the educational process. The country's approach is holistic, not solely focused on science or academic subjects, but also dedicated to honing students' practical skills and cultural knowledge. As a result, Denmark boasts a high H Index rank and consistently produces some of the most brilliant students in the world.
14. Belgium
H Index: 995
Belgium's education system is rigorous, emphasizing critical and innovative thinking, taking students on a comprehensive educational journey. It stands as one of the best education systems globally, contributing to the country producing some of the most brilliant students worldwide. Belgium is also renowned for its innovations, and researchers in the country have demonstrated a high level of productivity impact.
13. Sweden
H Index: 1,087
With a rigorous coursework and a focus on independent analysis, Sweden guides its student body through a demanding educational journey. Education is compulsory for children from the age of six to fifteen. A significant portion of lower secondary teachers, 49%, actively encourages critical thinking, while 45% emphasize problem-solving skills, frequently prompting students to engage in these practices. Unsurprisingly, Sweden's success in nurturing innovation is evident in its thriving start-up scene. In 2022 alone, the country recorded 1,798 patent applications, a testament to the embedded brilliance of graduates continually entering the global market.
12. Spain
H Index: 1,127
Ranking high on the H index, Spain showcases the consistent brilliance of its students worldwide. The country's education system places significant emphasis on actively engaging students in critical thinking and problem-solving, which contributes to this notable achievement. Lower secondary school teachers frequently encourage independent problem-solving, with 41% of them prompting students to find solutions autonomously. Moreover, 65% of teachers ensure that children regularly practice critical thinking, underscoring the commitment to nurturing these essential skills.
11. China
H Index: 1,210
China's education system is widely regarded as one of the best not only within the context of Asian countries but also on a global scale. The commitment to continual improvement is evident through their 2030 curriculum agenda. Emphasizing critical thinking as a key component of student learning across all subjects, China allocates a significant proportion, 61%, to this aspect in their curriculum. Furthermore, there is a strong emphasis on cultivating high problem-solving capacities (72%) within various subjects. The country's remarkable achievement in filing 1,464,605 patent applications in 2022 serves as evidence of the brilliant students produced by their education system.
10. Switzerland
H Index: 1,212
As one of the most developed countries globally, Switzerland boasts one of the best education systems. The nation prioritizes the cultivation of critical thinking skills in students, offering the opportunity to pursue both academic and vocational studies following an intensive 11 years of compulsory education, which includes learning languages and foundational subjects. Additionally, the country demonstrates a commitment to excellence through generous investments in research and development. This holistic approach contributes to the overall production of brilliant students, as evidenced by the high H index, reflecting the productivity and impact of their academic work.
9. Japan
H Index: 1,236
Japan has carved a notable reputation in the field of education, excelling both regionally and globally. Renowned for possessing one of the best and toughest educational systems, the country subject students to rigorous academic training and innovative development. A testament to their commitment to holistic education can be seen by their focus on problem-solving, allocating a significant 83% emphasis to this crucial skill in their curriculum.
8. Italy
H Index: 1,255
Developing one of the world's best education systems, Italy has earned recognition as a country with some of the most brilliant students globally. Not only does Italy foster innovative abilities in its young generation-- ranking among the most innovative countries worldwide--but their contributions to the literary world are also highly impactful, as evidenced by their impressive H index ranking.
7. Australia
H Index: 1,276
Boasting one of the world's best education systems, Australia is equipping its students with a penchant for profound and critical thinking, coupled with early exposure to independent problem-solving. This approach results in the country producing researchers who contribute at a very high level of impact and productivity. It is for this reason that Australia is rightfully recognized as one of the countries with the most brilliant students in the world.
6. Netherlands
H Index: 1,284
The education system in the Netherlands revolves around fostering in-depth and profound thinking, coupled with a focus on practical learning. As one of the most innovative countries, the Netherlands consistently produces meaningful and high-quality research work, a testament to the brilliance of the students within this country.
