Fraser Institute ranked top think-tank in Canada, 11th best independent think-tank worldwide

Press Release

January 30, 2017

VANCOUVER—The Fraser Institute is once again the top think-tank in Canada and ranks in the top 20 among all think-tanks worldwide, according to the 2016 Global Go To Think Tank Index published by the University of Pennsylvania and released recently in Washington, D.C.

The annual index ranks the Fraser Institute first among nearly 100 think-tanks in Canada and 19^th out of 6,846 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 11^th best worldwide.

“We take great pride in our independence—the Fraser Institute accepts no government funding, does not engage in contract research and relies 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.

“The Fraser Institute also maintains a rigorous peer review process for its research and always openly and clearly explains the methodology and data sources in its publications.”

In addition to its overall ranking, the Fraser Institute ranks:

• 4^th in the world for social policy;

• 5^th in the world for domestic health policy;

• 13^th for best use of the Internet;

• 14^th for best use of institutional collaboration;

• 15^th for best use both of public engagement and of social media; and

• 15^th for most innovative policy ideas.

Founded in 1974, the Fraser Institute’s mission is to improve the quality of life for Canadians, their families and future generations by studying, measuring, and broadly communicating the effects of government policies, entrepreneurship and choice on their well-being.

While the Fraser Institute plays a critical role within Canada, it also leads a global network of 109 independent think-tanks from 93 nations and territories through its Economic Freedom Network. Fourteen other members of that network ranked among the top 175 think-tanks in the world in this year’s index, including:

• Cato Institute (United States), 11^th;

• Institute for Economic Affairs (UK), 53^rd;

• Libertad y Desarollo (Chile), 54^th;

• Centre for Civil Society (India), 80^th;

• Timbro (Sweden), 92^nd;

• Centro de Divulgacion del Conocimiento Economico para la Libertad (Venezuela) 96^th;

• Free Market Foundation (South Africa), 123^rd; and

• Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (Germany), 159^th.

“We would like to congratulate all of our partners around the world who work tirelessly, and often under very difficult circumstances, to educate people on the hugely positive impact that greater economic freedom has on prosperity and social progress,” Veldhuis said.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Niels Veldhuis, President
Fraser Institute

For media interviews with Mr. Veldhuis or for more information, please contact:

Bryn Weese, Media Relations Specialist
Fraser Institute
(604) 688-0221 ext. 589
bryn.weese@fraserinstitute.org

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