Purpose – The aim of this study is to examine the regional distribution of Highly Cited Researchers from 2020 to 2024, and to explore the dynamics of research excellence across different regions. The analysis is conducted not only on a global level but also at the level of 21 research clusters. Design/methodology/approach – The analysis is based on the annually published Highly Cited Researchers list by Clarivate. The first phase of the study determined the regional distribution of 34,225 Highly Cited Researchers between 2020 and 2024. Subsequently, the focus shifted to the distribution of HCRs across 21 research clusters, analyzed on an annual basis. Findings – Although North America holds the leading position in the number of Highly Cited Researchers during the examined period, Asia—particularly China—shows significant growth. Asia surpassed Europe in 2023 and 2024. The cluster-specific regional distribution exhibits substantial heterogeneity. North America dominates most research clusters; however, there are notable instances of Asia's strong advancement. The results also reveal a significant linear relationship between Highly Cited Papers and Highly Cited Researchers. Originality – This is the first study to analyze the changes in the regional distribution of Highly Cited Researchers in a 5-year time window. While Asia’s global representation in scientific outputs has been long recognized, our findings emphasize global trends at the level of research clusters and highlight the need to reconsider research and cooperation strategies.
Zsolt Kohus (2025) studied this question.