Quality education (SDG 4)

Asia and Africa participation numbers each increase by 25 per cent More than 2,500 universities from across the world have submitted data to Times Higher Education to participate in the Impact Rankings 2025. The new milestone represents a year-on-year increase of 18 per cent, after more than 2,000 institutions were ranked for the first time in 2024. Asia is now home to more than half of the submissions to the rankings, after 1,311 institutions from the continent took part this year, a 25 per cent increase compared with last year. Africa has had the same percentage rise in participation, with 287 universities now joining the movement, making it the third most-represented region, behind Europe. The Impact Rankings measure university performance against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In total, 2,540 universities from 130 countries and territories have submitted data for the 2025 edition. India, with 148 participating institutions, is still the most-represented nation in terms of submissions, but Pakistan is now second (127) and the Philippines has leapt up to third (121, a 95 per cent increase). Other countries that have seen significant growth in participation this year include Angola, Azerbaijan, China, Indonesia, Kenya and Libya. Ten countries have put themselves forward for the first time: Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, El Salvador, Estonia, Maldives, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Senegal and Zimbabwe. Eighteen tables are published as part of the Impact Rankings – one for each of the 17 individual SDGs, plus one overall ranking. SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals) is the only goal that universities must provide data on to be included in the overall ranking. When comparing participation for the other goals, SDG 4 (quality education) again received the most submissions, with 1,991 universities providing data in this area. This was followed by SDG 3 (good health and well-being) (1,801 institutions) and SDG 5 (gender equality) (1,566). These three goals have had the most submissions for the past four years. Universities in Asia and Africa were most likely to submit data for the tables measuring education, health and well-being, gender equality and SDG 1 (no poverty). Oceanian and South American universities chalked up a strong showing in SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), while a high share of institutions from North America submitted data for SDG 10 (reduced inequalities). The evidence submitted by universities for this year’s ranking has for the first time included a review by a generative AI system to improve accuracy and consistency of the marking.

Quality education (SDG 4)

More than 2,500 universities submit data for Impact Rankings

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