New international report: Danish research is world-class

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Denmark continues to rank among the global leaders when it comes to research, according to a new international report, which points to high quality in Danish research, strong international collaboration and close connections between research and business.

A new international report entitled 'Denmark as a Science Nation' analyzes Danish research in a European and global context and looks at, among other things, the impact of research - both in companies, in political decisions and in the development of new technologies.

The report is produced by Elsevier, a global provider of advanced information and decision support for research and health, as well as a provider of research data and scientific publications. The report is launched in collaboration with Innovation Fund Denmark.

Overall, the report paints a picture of a research system that not only delivers knowledge at a high international level, but also collaborates to a large extent across countries and sectors.

- The report shows that Denmark occupies a strong position in global research. Danish research is distinguished by its high quality, impact and its unique level of international collaboration. By analyzing the impact of research, collaboration patterns and knowledge sharing across sectors, the report provides an evidence-based picture of how Danish research contributes to scientific excellence, innovation and policy-making – both nationally and globally, says Federica Rosetta, Vice President, Academic Relations and Public Affairs, EMEA at Elsevier.

International cooperation strengthens quality

One of the report's key findings is that Danish researchers collaborate to a very high degree with colleagues in other countries. A full 67 percent of Danish research articles are written in collaboration with international partners, which is one of the highest levels in the world.

International collaboration is of great importance for the quality of research: When Danish researchers work with foreign colleagues, their research is cited on average more than twice as often as similar research developed exclusively with national partners.

Research is applied outside universities

At the same time, the report points to a strong interaction between research and business. Collaboration between universities and businesses is more widespread in Denmark than in both the G7 countries and China.

- It is very positive that the report highlights international and interdisciplinary collaboration as a strength in Danish research. In a time of increased geopolitical uncertainty, international collaboration is crucial for Denmark's access to knowledge, capital and talent. And when universities and companies work together, it increases the possibilities for new knowledge to be turned into concrete solutions, products and technologies that create value in society, says Cecilie Brøkner, Director of Innovation Fund Denmark.

The report also shows that Danish research plays an important role as a knowledge base for political decisions. In the period 2015–2024, 12.3 percent of Danish research publications were cited in national and international political reports and decision documents – almost twice as often as the EU average.

- Danish research has high quality, great international impact and good cooperation with the business community. It is positive to have confirmation from international experts. In return, we must become even more skilled at translating research into solutions and companies. Because we are in fierce global competition to develop the technologies and solutions that create the foundation for our economy - but also the green transition, safety and health. That is why the government is working purposefully to remove barriers on the research path to concrete solutions, says Minister of Education and Research, Christina Egelund.

Strong positions – and the need to develop them

The report shows that Denmark is strong in critical technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, biotechnology, space technology and clean energy. In all areas, both quality and impact are significantly above global and European averages. However, the strongest Danish research position remains within clinical and health science research, where Novo Nordisk plays a very significant role as the largest and most important collaboration partner.

- To maintain and expand Denmark's strong knowledge position, we need to strengthen scale, talent, test environments and the path from research to application. Within new critical technologies such as AI and the quantum field, this requires new tools, new alliances and the courage to prioritize harder. In global competition, movement is a prerequisite for staying ahead, says Cecilie Brøkner, Director of Innovation Fund Denmark.

Launch at event

When the report is published later today, the focus will be on Denmark's role in a changing European research and innovation landscape. This will be done at a joint event organized by Elsevier and Innovation Fund Denmark with leading players from research, business and policy.

Based on the report's data and analyses, the event focuses on how Denmark - in continuation of the Agreement on Research and Innovation 2026–2029 - can help strengthen Europe's ability to translate research and ideas into concrete innovation.

Denmark as a Science Nation is initiated and prepared by Elsevier as part of the Science Nations series.

Facts: Denmark as a Science Nation

• Denmark is among the world's leading research nations measured by citation impact
• 67% of Danish research publications have international co-authors
• Publications with international co-authors achieve twice as high citation impact as publications with exclusively national authors.
• 12.3% of Danish publications are cited in national and international policy documents
• 39% of Danish research relates to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals
• Clinical and health science research is Denmark's largest and most impactful research area.
• Research in quantum technology is Denmark's most international research area, with 81% international co-authors on Danish research articles
• Biotechnology is an emerging Danish strength, with 14% of all research articles being published in collaboration with companies. At the same time, the field has one of the world's highest citation rates in patents at 18.4%.

Download the report Denmark as a Science Nation