The State of Canadian Research in 2024; Trends, Institutional Impact and Disciplines

Canada is a global leader in academic research, producing high-quality publications across disciplines. Its research ecosystem thrives on strong government support, well-funded institutions, and a commitment to innovation. International collaborations further enhance its academic environment, attracting scholars and funding worldwide.  A Scopus search for “Canada” in the affiliation country field yielded 133,904 results for 2024. Table 1 highlights top-performing Canadian institutions based on publication output, reflecting the country’s strong academic and research environment. The University of Toronto leads with 20,594 papers, demonstrating its research strength. The University of British Columbia (11,788) and the University of Alberta (9,534) follow, showcasing their scholarly impact. Specialized institutions also contribute significantly, with the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine publishing 7,268 articles and the University Health Network producing 3,476, emphasizing their role in medical and healthcare research. 

Table 1. Canada’s top academic institutions

Figure 1 shows Canada’s 2024 publication distribution, led by medicine (44,792), highlighting its healthcare focus. Engineering (22,054) and social sciences (18,950) reflect balanced investment in technology and society. Computer science (16,674) and biochemistry (13,631) further emphasize advancements in tech and life sciences. Environmental science (10,348) and agriculture (9,694) showcase sustainability efforts. Traditional sciences—math, physics, and chemistry—contribute over 25,000 articles. Emerging fields like business (4,924) and energy (4,477) show growing interest, while dentistry (657) and veterinary medicine (900) represent specialized research areas.

Figure 1. Research output distribution by topic area in Canada

A list of 4222 institutions can be found on the https://www.cicic.ca/2/home.canada website, which was recommended by Canada.ca, the official website of the Government of Canada. A filter for private (for-profit and non-profit) colleges and universities produced 249 results. A follow-up search on Scopus that concentrated on relationship with Canadian universities yielded just 39 matches, as indicated in Table 2. This study focused on gathering information on private schools in Canada, particularly those linked to Scopus. Among private universities, University Canada West leads with 109 publications, reflecting strong research engagement. Both non-profit and for-profit institutions contribute, with Trinity Western University (82) and Concordia University of Edmonton (61) making notable scholarly impacts. 

Table 2. Private universities 

Canada’s private institutions contribute extensively across various fields (Figure 2). Social sciences lead with 168 articles, reflecting a strong focus on societal dynamics. Computer science (118) and arts & humanities (112) highlight technology and cultural studies. Medicine (108) and business (105) balance healthcare and economic research, while engineering (86) and economics (59) support financial and technological industries. Growing interest is seen in psychology (47) and environmental science (43). Specialized fields like biochemistry (28), energy (35), and health professions (39) emphasize applied sciences. Though smaller in volume, nursing (21), neuroscience (16), and decision sciences (14) showcase research diversity. 

Figure 2. Research output distribution by field at Canadian private universities in 2024

Despite extensive data collection and analysis, several limitations must be acknowledged. Relying solely on Scopus may exclude relevant studies from other databases like Web of Science or Google Scholar, potentially distorting Canada’s scholarly output. Institutional naming variations and interdisciplinary collaborations further affect publication accuracy, particularly in private institutions. Additionally, the study focuses on quantitative output, overlooking qualitative research impact, such as citations or policy influence. While subject classifications are useful, they do not fully capture specialized fields or emerging interdisciplinary trends.

Canadian university research output grew in 2024, with shifting priorities from 2023. Toronto, BC, and McGill led in scientific publications, with increases in medical, engineering, and computer science research, highlighting a focus on health, technology, and transdisciplinary studies. The University of Toronto maintained its top position with 19,960 publications, showing continued growth. Private universities like Trinity Western and University Canada West emphasized business, management, and computer science. Research expanded across domains, with notable growth in transdisciplinary and environmental science studies. Medicine led with 43,000 papers in 2023, while 2024 saw rising contributions in AI, biochemistry, and digital technologies. Public and private institutions prioritized AI, healthcare, and sustainability, driving innovation.