Fraser Institute ranked top think-tank in Canada; 18th most influential think-tank in the world

The Fraser Institute is the top think-tank in Canada for the 11th straight year, and ranks in the top 20 among all think-tanks worldwide, according to the 2018 Global Go To Think Tank Index published by the University of Pennsylvania and released this week in New York and Washington, D.C.

The annual report ranks the Fraser Institute first among 100 think-tanks in Canada and 18th out of more than 8,000 think-tanks around the world.

Among independent think-tanks, which the University of Pennsylvania report defines as having independence from any one interest group or donor and autonomous in its operation and funding from government, the Fraser Institute ranks 11th best worldwide.

“We take great pride in our independence—the Fraser Institute accepts no government funding and does not engage in contract research. Instead, we rely entirely on donations from a diverse base of thousands of individuals, family foundations and other organizations, none of whom has any influence on our work,” said Niels Veldhuis, president of the Fraser Institute.

In addition to its overall ranking, the Fraser Institute ranks 7th for best use of the Internet and 8th for best use of social media.

While the Fraser Institute plays a critical role within Canada, it also leads a global network of more than 100 independent think-tanks from 93 nations and territories through its Economic Freedom Network. Seven other members of that network ranked among the top 100 think-tanks in the world in this year’s index, including:

• Cato Institute (United States), 15th;
• Libertad y Desarollo (Chile), 67th;
• Centre for Civil Society (India), 83rd
• Association for Liberal Thinking (Turkey), 90th;
• Timbro (Sweden), 93rd;
• Center for China and Globalization (China), 94th;
• Centro de Divulgacion del Conocimiento Economico para la Libertad (Venezuela) 99th;

“The Fraser Institute supports the efforts of think tanks around the world in providing empirical research to educate citizens and contribute to fact-based debates on public policies,” Veldhuis said.

“In particular, we would like to recognize the efforts of some of our international partners for doing so well in this year’s ranking.”