Hong Kong's Top 2% Scientists 2021

Hong Kong has 1,227 scientists on the 2021 single-year Top 2% list, up 18.8% from 1,033 in 2020. That places Hong Kong 21st in the world by number of listed scientists. The University of Hong Kong has the most listed scientists (234), followed by Hong Kong Polytechnic University (228).

Single Year

1,227

+194 (+18.8%) vs 2020

Career Data

1,018

+140 (+15.9%) vs 2020

World rank by count

#21

No change vs 2020

Institutes

+8 (+18.6%) vs 2020

Scientists in Hong Kong on the list, by year

The single-year count has grown 19% since 2020.

Single-year list, change on the previous year

2021+18.8%

2022+3.5%

2023+14.3%

2024+5.7%

2025+18.4%

Show the numbers

Year	Single Year	Change	Career Data	Change
2020	1,033		878
2021	1,227	+18.8%	1,018	+15.9%
2022	1,270	+3.5%	1,099	+8.0%
2023	1,452	+14.3%	1,176	+7.0%
2024	1,535	+5.7%	1,270	+8.0%
2025	1,818	+18.4%	1,482	+16.7%

Top 10 institutes in Hong Kong

By number of listed scientists

Single-year list2021

Show the list

All 1,227 scientists

Single-year list2021

The first 100 are free to browse.

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Rank in Hong Kong	World rank	Scientist	Institute	Sub-field	Rank in sub-field
1	108	ZH Zhang, Hua	City University of Hong Kong	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 7
2	436	ZG Zhao, Guochun	The University of Hong Kong	Geochemistry & Geophysics	Rank 3
3	478	HD Hui, David S.C.	Chinese University of Hong Kong	Respiratory System	Rank 2
4	501	PM Peiris, Malik	HKU-Pasteur Research Pole	Virology	Rank 2
5	530	WX Wang, Xiaogang	Chinese University of Hong Kong	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 27
6	677	TB Tang, Ben Zhong	Hong Kong University of Science and Technology	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 26
7	752	TX Tang, Xiaoou	Chinese University of Hong Kong	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 37
8	765	PC Poon, Chi Sun	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Building & Construction	Rank 5
9	1,153	CG Chen, Guanrong	City University of Hong Kong	Fluids & Plasmas	Rank 11
10	1,221	QS Qin, S. Joe	City University of Hong Kong	Industrial Engineering & Automation	Rank 7
11	1,306	CP Chu, Paul K.	City University of Hong Kong	Applied Physics	Rank 40
12	1,326	LR Law, Rob	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Sport, Leisure & Tourism	Rank 4
13	1,535	KM Kwan, Mei Po	Chinese University of Hong Kong	Geography	Rank 7
14	1,571	CK Chau, Kwok Wing	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Environmental Engineering	Rank 8
15	1,862	LD Leung, Dennis Y.C.	The University of Hong Kong	Energy	Rank 41
16	2,027	ZT Zhang, Tong	Hong Kong University of Science and Technology	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 85
17	2,179	CT Choi, Tsan Ming	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Operations Research	Rank 9
18	2,227	NS Ng, Siew C.	Chinese University of Hong Kong	Gastroenterology & Hepatology	Rank 27
19	2,371	LK Liew, K. M.	City University of Hong Kong	Mechanical Engineering & Transports	Rank 28
20	2,402	NT Ng, Thomas W.H.	The University of Hong Kong	Business & Management	Rank 53
21	2,439	LJ Lau, Joseph T.F.	Chinese University of Hong Kong	Public Health	Rank 25
22	2,454	SJ Sung, Joseph Jao Yiu	Chinese University of Hong Kong	Gastroenterology & Hepatology	Rank 33
23	2,676	YK Yuen, Kwok Yung	The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine	Microbiology	Rank 52
24	2,768	TJ Teng, J. G.	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Civil Engineering	Rank 5
25	2,772	YQ Yang, Qiang	Hong Kong University of Science and Technology	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 101
26	2,807	MT Mok, Tony Shu Kam	Chinese University of Hong Kong	Oncology & Carcinogenesis	Rank 92
27	3,046	SM Shao, Minhua	Hong Kong University of Science and Technology	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 92
28	3,236	TS Tjong, Sie Chin	City University of Hong Kong	Materials	Rank 57
29	3,394	Jim, C. Y.	The Education University of Hong Kong	Urban & Regional Planning	Rank 8
30	3,556	NM Ni, Meng	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Energy	Rank 69
31	3,640	CA Chan, Albert P.C.	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Building & Construction	Rank 17
32	3,691	QL Qi, Liqun	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Operations Research	Rank 16
33	3,792	CT Cheng, T. C.E.	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Operations Research	Rank 17
34	3,887	DD Dudgeon, David	The University of Hong Kong	Marine Biology & Hydrobiology	Rank 13
35	3,916	RA Rogach, Andrey L.	City University of Hong Kong	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 122
36	4,065	FG Feng, Gang	City University of Hong Kong	Industrial Engineering & Automation	Rank 39
37	4,076	SP Sheng, Ping	Hong Kong University of Science and Technology	Applied Physics	Rank 95
38	4,145	NC Ng, Charles Wang Wai	Hong Kong University of Science and Technology	Geological & Geomatics Engineering	Rank 30
39	4,152	ZL Zhang, Lei	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 124
40	4,274	TM Tonetti, Maurizio S.	The University of Hong Kong	Dentistry	Rank 10
41	4,438	SD Shek, Daniel T.L.	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Endocrinology & Metabolism	Rank 90
42	4,479	CF Chan, F. T.S.	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Operations Research	Rank 20
43	4,625	LC Liu, C. S.	City University of Hong Kong	Materials	Rank 73
44	4,715	LY Lo, Y. M.Dennis	Chinese University of Hong Kong	General Clinical Medicine	Rank 3
45	4,720	CB Cowling, Benjamin J.	The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine	Microbiology	Rank 96
46	4,733	HS Hui, Shu Yuen Ron	The University of Hong Kong	Electrical & Electronic Engineering	Rank 16
47	4,930	NE Ngai, Eric W.T.	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Information Systems	Rank 18
48	5,097	ZC Zhi, Chunyi	City University of Hong Kong	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 145
49	5,144	HK Hew, Khe Foon	The University of Hong Kong	Education	Rank 36
50	5,165	Zhou, Kevin Zheng	The University of Hong Kong	Marketing	Rank 27
51	5,268	WP Wang, Peng	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 150
52	5,329	ZQ Zhang, Qingfu	City University of Hong Kong	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 159
53	5,359	SN Shah, Nagendra Prasad	The University of Hong Kong	Food Science	Rank 29
54	5,418	YP Yip, Paul S.F.	The University of Hong Kong	Psychiatry	Rank 135
55	5,457	CD Carless, David	The University of Hong Kong	Education	Rank 39
56	5,542	RJ Ren, Jingzheng	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Energy	Rank 115
57	5,837	CT Chow, Tin tai	City University of Hong Kong	Building & Construction	Rank 27
58	5,900	CW Cho, William C.S.	Queen Elizabeth Hospital Hong Kong	Oncology & Carcinogenesis	Rank 211
59	5,932	ZJ Zhang, Jianhua	Hong Kong Baptist University	Plant Biology & Botany	Rank 72
60	5,955	YH Yang, Hai	Hong Kong University of Science and Technology	Logistics & Transportation	Rank 14
61	6,079	YV Yam, Vivian Wing Wah	The University of Hong Kong	Organic Chemistry	Rank 87
62	6,173	BI Benzie, Iris F.F.	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Nutrition & Dietetics	Rank 45
63	6,234	LP Lee, Paul H.	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	General & Internal Medicine	Rank 100
64	6,411	LH Lan, Huiyao	Chinese University of Hong Kong	Urology & Nephrology	Rank 32
65	6,599	FX Fan, Xitao	The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen	Education	Rank 46
66	6,607	PR Poon, Ronnie Tung Ping	Queen Mary Hospital Hong Kong	Oncology & Carcinogenesis	Rank 244
67	6,633	LK Lai, Kee Hung	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Operations Research	Rank 31
68	6,664	WJ Wang, Jun	City University of Hong Kong	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 184
69	6,789	NE Ng, Edward	Chinese University of Hong Kong	Building & Construction	Rank 32
70	7,249	LS Lee, Shun Cheng	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences	Rank 142
71	7,325	DC Ding, Cunsheng	Hong Kong University of Science and Technology	Networking & Telecommunications	Rank 49
72	7,368	ZM Zhou, Meifu	The University of Hong Kong	Geochemistry & Geophysics	Rank 116
73	7,447	NT Ng, Tzi Bun	Chinese University of Hong Kong	Biochemistry & Molecular Biology	Rank 163
74	7,573	TC Tang, Chuyang Y.	The University of Hong Kong	Chemical Engineering	Rank 37
75	7,736	LG Leung, Gabriel M.	The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine	Epidemiology	Rank 20
76	8,012	ZL Zhang, L. M.	Hong Kong University of Science and Technology	Geological & Geomatics Engineering	Rank 65
77	8,284	LY Li, Yuguo	The University of Hong Kong	Building & Construction	Rank 42
78	8,416	MC McBride, Catherine	Chinese University of Hong Kong	Education	Rank 64
79	8,635	KA Kumar, Ajay	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 242
80	8,637	ZT Zhang, Tong	The University of Hong Kong	Environmental Sciences	Rank 90
81	8,700	WP Wong, Po Keung	Chinese University of Hong Kong	Environmental Sciences	Rank 92
82	8,769	KJ Kim, Jang Kyo	Hong Kong University of Science and Technology	Materials	Rank 152
83	8,785	CC Cheung, Christy M.K.	Hong Kong Baptist University	Information Systems	Rank 32
84	8,807	YB Young, Ben	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Civil Engineering	Rank 31
85	8,860	KA Kwan, Albert K.H.	The University of Hong Kong	Building & Construction	Rank 48
86	8,896	TR Tuan, Rocky S.	Chinese University of Hong Kong	Developmental Biology	Rank 321
87	9,034	CP Chan, Paul Kay Sheung	Chinese University of Hong Kong	Virology	Rank 40
88	9,185	HW Ho, Wingkei	The Education University of Hong Kong	Physical Chemistry	Rank 49
89	9,237	WW Wang, Wen Xiong	City University of Hong Kong	Environmental Sciences	Rank 97
90	9,379	SS Smale, Steve	City University of Hong Kong	General Mathematics	Rank 26
91	9,527	YJ Yang, Jun	The University of Hong Kong	Geological & Geomatics Engineering	Rank 78
92	9,553	WP Woo, Patrick C.Y.	The University of Hong Kong	Microbiology	Rank 200
93	9,646	FM Firth, Michael	Lingnan University, Hong Kong	Finance	Rank 48
94	9,725	TC Tang, Ching W.	Hong Kong University of Science and Technology	Applied Physics	Rank 201
95	9,948	WW Wong, Wai Yeung	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Inorganic & Nuclear Chemistry	Rank 32
96	10,203	WG Wong, Grace Lai Hung	Chinese University of Hong Kong	Gastroenterology & Hepatology	Rank 112
97	10,204	TJ Thong, James Y.L.	Hong Kong University of Science and Technology	Information Systems	Rank 36
98	10,420	LS Lee, Sing	Chinese University of Hong Kong	Psychiatry	Rank 230
99	10,583	WS Wang, Shengwei	Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Building & Construction	Rank 57
100	10,698	WR Walker, Richard M.	City University of Hong Kong	Political Science & Public Administration	Rank 52
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Countries with a similar count

Single-year list2021

Iran1,701 scientistsin 2021

Israel1,514 scientistsin 2021

Taiwan1,358 scientistsin 2021

Austria1,219 scientistsin 2021

Turkey1,150 scientistsin 2021

Brazil1,132 scientistsin 2021

Explore other countries

Single-year list2021

China16,611 scientistsin 2021

Japan5,416 scientistsin 2021

South Korea2,715 scientistsin 2021

Macau59 scientistsin 2021

India3,352 scientistsin 2021

Singapore1,130 scientistsin 2021

All countries on the world map

Frequently asked questions

How many scientists from Hong Kong are in the 2021 Stanford Top 2% list?

1,227 scientists affiliated with Hong Kong are on the 2021 single-year list, and 1,018 are on the career-long list.

Which institute in Hong Kong has the most Top 2% scientists?

On the 2021 single-year list, The University of Hong Kong has the most listed scientists from Hong Kong, with 234. It is followed by Hong Kong Polytechnic University with 228.

How has the number of Top 2% scientists in Hong Kong changed since 2020?

On the single-year list, Hong Kong went from 1,033 scientists in 2020 to 1,227 in 2021, a change of +18.8%.

What is the difference between the single-year and career-long lists?

The single-year list ranks scientists on the citations their work received in one year. The career-long list ranks them on citations across their whole career. Both lists are published every year, and a scientist can be on one, both or neither.

What is the official source of this data?

The rankings come from the science-wide author databases of standardized citation indicators published by Ioannidis et al. in the Elsevier Data Repository, updated every year. TOPSCINET, an independent platform, organises that data by country, year, institute and field, so you can compare and explore it.