Global Total Number of 10% Top-Cited Scientific Publications in Polymers and Plastics by Country

The 2023 data highlights China's significant dominance in top-cited scientific publications in polymers and plastics, far exceeding the United States, the second-highest contributor. Countries like Malaysia and Saudi Arabia demonstrated impressive growth, with year-over-year increases of 44.2% and 49.38%, respectively. On the contrary, traditional powerhouses such as the United States and Germany showed slight declines, indicating a shift in research dynamics.

The trend over the past five years indicates a rapid rise in contributions from emerging countries like Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, while Western nations are experiencing stagnation or decline. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for these nations reflects these changing trends, with significant increases in countries traditionally less associated with high-impact polymers and plastics research.

In the future, it will be critical to monitor emerging markets like Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and India, which are poised for further growth in high-impact research. China's continued investment in research suggests its dominant position may persist, while strategic shifts and investments may help Western countries reverse their stagnating performance.