KDI

2021 not only marks the 50th anniversary of KDI, it is now also the year that KDI was ranked 5th in the Top Think Tanks Worldwide (non-US) and 16th in the Top Think Tanks Worldwide (US and non-US) categories of the 2020 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report. It previously ranked 6th and 19th, respectively. 

The Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program (TTCSP) at the University of Pennsylvania began releasing its annual comprehensive ranking of global think tanks in 2006. A total of 11,175 think tanks were evaluated for the 2020 Index based on data compiled from expert panel evaluations and the recommendations and online surveys of scholars, policymakers, journalists and field experts from around the globe.

KDI placed higher than last year for Outstanding Policy-oriented Research Programs (5th→4th) and Significant Impact on Public Policy (43rd→42nd).

KDI reaffirmed its status as a leading global think tank by taking top positions in 14 key categories including International Development (Center of Excellence), Best Managed Think Tanks (3rd), Domestic Economic Policy (9th), International Economics (10th), and Social Policy (13th).

Additionally, KDI was again honored to be the only Asian research institute to be named ‘Center of Excellence’ in two categories.

From 2019, TTCSP awards institutes that rank first place in a category for three consecutive years the title of ‘Center of Excellence' in order to honor their accomplishments. KDI has held first positions in the Top Think Tank Worldwide (non-US) category since 2013 and International Development category since 2016.

KDI President Jeong Pyo Choi revealed that “The award for Center of Excellence is welcomed recognition of KDI’s excellence and global competitiveness in research, and of its position as Korea’s leading think tank.” He added that “As KDI celebrates its 50th year, efforts will be dedicated to establishing an advanced economic paradigm that can sustain Korea for another five decades.”