Read also: Make a successful career in microbiology

A list of the best countries for life sciences research cannot begin without mentioning  the United States  , which ranks at the top simply because it dominates this global ranking for high-quality life sciences research. Life sciences account for almost 50% of the national science output, followed by chemistry, physics and earth and environmental sciences, respectively. Life sciences sales reached $450 billion last year, with six of the 10 largest pharmaceutical companies headquartered in the U.S., including Pfizer, Amgen and Johnson & Johnson. These three businesses alone account for more than 240,700 jobs worldwide.

Here is a list of the top 10 US institutions for life sciences research:

• Harvard University
• Stanford University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology 
• University of California at Berkeley 
• National Institutes of Health
• University of Michigan
• University of California, San Diego
• University of California, Los Angeles 
• Northwestern University 
• Yale

China 

Next on our list of the best countries for life sciences research is none other than China. China has made up for its gap in life sciences research, and its influence in the global life sciences sector has grown significantly over the past decade. In just one year, the country’s share of life sciences increased by an impressive 14%, the fastest growth of any country in this top 10 world. In addition, changes in China’s life sciences sector have improved access to medical products and paved the way for a number of innovations in life sciences research.

Here is a list of the top 10 institutes in China for life sciences research:

• Chinese Academy of Sciences
• University of Science and Technology of China
• Peking University
• Tsinghua University
• Nanjing University
• University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
• Zhejiang University 
• Shanghai Jiao Tong University
• Sun Yat-sen University 
• Fudan University

Also Read: MBBS in China – Complete Guide

Germany

When talking about the best countries for research in the field of life sciences, it is impossible not to mention Germany. With growth of 1.5% between 2017 and 2018, Germany’s performance in the life sciences sector remains strong. German pharmaceutical revenues reached $40.7 billion in 2016. Bayer AG is the largest pharmaceutical company in the country, employing approximately 30,000 people in just 19 German sites. Additionally, the country has become a popular destination for researchers in recent years due to its relatively low cost of living, stable growth, and higher spending on life sciences research and development.

Here is a list of the top 10 institutes in Germany for life sciences research:

• Max Planck Society
• Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers
• Leibniz Association
• Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
• Technical University of Munich 
• Heidelberg University 
• University of Münster 
• University of Wurzburg 
• Free University of Berlin 
• RWTH Aachen University 

Japan

The next country on our list of best countries for life sciences research is Japan, a country that has the utmost respect for Human Resource Development (HRD), new age technology and multiple fields of science. Japan constantly strives to maintain its place in the world of research. To improve the country’s high-quality research output, they are pursuing a strategy of funding individual institutions to strengthen their collaborations abroad. The country’s pharmaceutical market is now worth about $70 billion.

Here is a list of the top 10 institutes in Japan for life sciences research:

• Tokyo University
• Kyoto University
• Osaka University
• Tohoku University
• RIKEN
• Tokyo Institute of Technology
• Nagoya University
• Kyushu University
• Hokkaido University
• National Institute of Materials Science

Read also:  MBBS in Japan

United Kingdom 

Next on our list of the best countries for life sciences research is the UK. It’s no surprise that two of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies, GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca, are based in the UK. In 2015, the biopharmaceutical and medical device industry contributed £30.4 billion to the UK economy. The UK boasts a one-of-a-kind healthcare and life sciences ecosystem. The country has achieved a variety of scientific breakthroughs and is leading a new generation of life-changing services, technologies and treatments. The country’s goal is to increase R&D spending to 2.4% of GDP by 2027.

Here is a list of the top 10 UK institutions for life sciences research:

• Cambridge University
• Oxford University
• York University
• University of Sheffield
• Imperial College London 
• University College London 
• University of Bristol
• University of Bath
• Manchester University
• University of Glasgow

Canada

Next on our list of the best countries for life sciences research is Canada. With life sciences accounting for nearly half of Canada’s share of the Nature Index, the country continues to rank highly in this field. Canada has an extensive network of research firms, laboratories, universities and hospitals that collaborate with the life sciences sector in the areas of biohealth, bioenergy, biotechnology and agro-biotechnology. The country is becoming a world leader in life sciences and biotechnology. The domestic pharmaceuticals and manufacturing market employs more than 26,000 people and another 100,000 indirect jobs. Canadian-built facilities include companies such as Apotex and Cobalt, which contribute to life sciences research.

Here is a list of the top 10 institutions in Canada for life sciences research:

• University of Toronto
• McGill University
• University of British Columbia
• University of Alberta
• University of Waterloo
• University of Calgary
• University of Montreal
• University of Ottawa
• Institute of Theoretical Physics “Perimeter”
• Western University

France

France is another country that never fails to impress the world with its enormous potential in any field and hence has also earned a place in our list of the best countries for life sciences research. The country is known for spending around €48 billion on research annually, or 2.24% of its GDP. This allowed the country to achieve its goal of becoming a country with high quality scientific research.

Here is a list of the top 10 institutes in France dedicated to life sciences research:

• French National Center for Scientific Research
• Sorbonne University
• French Commission for Alternative Energy and Atomic Energy
• National Institute for Health and Medical Research
• University of Paris
• University of Paris-Sud
• University of Strasbourg
• University of Toulouse
• University of Lyon
• University of Aix-Marseille 

Read also: Want to study abroad inexpensively? – Go to France! [Complete Guide]

Switzerland 

Next on our list of the best countries for life sciences research is Switzerland. Switzerland may be recognized as a power in the physical sciences, but it does much more than just participate in the life sciences. The only global life sciences cluster of its kind is located in Switzerland. The country is home to a dense network of biotech, medical technology and nanotechnology companies, as well as chemical and pharmaceutical giants such as La Roche, Novartis and Syngenta. The Swiss life sciences industry has the highest labor productivity compared to other leading international enterprises.

Here is a list of the top 10 Swiss institutes engaged in life sciences research:

• Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich
• Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne
• University of Zurich
• University of Geneva
• University of Basel
• University of Bern
• University of Lausanne
• F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG
• Paul Scherrer Institute
• European Organization for Nuclear Research

South Korea

Next on our list of the best countries for life sciences research is the Republic of Korea, also known as South Korea. Apart from its evergreen natural habitat consisting of green, rolling countryside dotted with cherry trees and centuries-old Buddhist temples, the country also marks its presence in the life sciences research sector. South Korea spends 4.3% of its GDP on R&D and is one of the most innovative countries in the world. The country has about 32 percent of STEM degrees and claims to be the most science-educated country.

Here is a list of the top 10 institutes in South Korea for life sciences research:

• Seoul National University 
• Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
• Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology 
• Sungkyunkwan University 
• Institute of Basic Sciences 
• Yonsei University
• Pohang University of Science and Technology
• Korea University
• Hanyang University 
• Korea Institute of Science and Technology

Must Read:  Study in South Korea for Indian Students

Australia

Last but not least, our list of the best countries for life sciences research includes Australia. The country’s output is fairly evenly distributed across subjects, with the majority of high-quality research output coming from life sciences, followed by the Nature Index. The life sciences industry in Australia continues to grow, driven by the development of the medical device and biotechnology sector, fueled by advances in technology. For life sciences professionals, Australia is strengthening its reputation as a highly attractive place to work and is becoming a world-class hub for life sciences. Additionally, the University of Queensland is the leading institution in this discipline, followed by the University of Melbourne and Monash University.

Here is a list of Australia’s top 10 institutions for life sciences research:

• University of New South Wales
• University of Queensland
• Monash University
• University of Melbourne
• Australian National University
• University of Sydney
• University of Western Australia
• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
• University of Adelaide
• University of Wollongong

Bonus information:

Preclinical, a life sciences recruiting company, assessed the global life sciences industry by taking into account country turnover, innovation in the life sciences industry across countries, and the number of life sciences jobs available domestically. and international life sciences businesses. The company has compiled a list of the best countries in the world to work in the life sciences sector. Let’s see:

Articles on the topic: 

Frequently Asked Questions

Which country is best for life sciences research?

Some of the best countries for life science research are:
1. United States of America
2. China
3. Germany
4. Japan
5. Canada
6. France
7. Switzerland
8. South Korea
9. Australia

Which country pays researchers the most?

Switzerland reportedly offers the highest salaries for researchers.

What topics are studied in life sciences?

Life sciences cover topics such as biology, botany, zoology and ecology.

These were the best countries for life science research. We hope this blog has been able to provide you with updated knowledge and insights regarding the leading countries of the world that dominate the field of life sciences. Interested in taking a life science course in one of these countries? Many Indian students dream of studying abroad because of the opportunities and career advancement they offer. Consider joining a free consultation with Leverage Edu if you are planning  to study abroad  .