Think tank state of the sector 2022
This report provides an annual snapshot of the state of the think tank sector across the globe. Drawing on data from the Open Think Tank Directory and a think tank survey conducted by On Think Tanks, this year’s report offers insights to questions such as:
- Are political funding contexts for think tanks improving or worsening?
- What big challenges are they facing?
- What are the most pressing policy issues according to think tanks?
- What’s the average think tank size, age and turnover?
- And how do all these answers vary across regions?
The report also features a new analysis focusing on the actions and policies think tanks are implementing to address diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) issues. We invite you to explore the data and share your perspectives and insights on the trends.
Download the report
Relevant resources
- Sector survey questions 2022
- Sector survey 2022 results
- Sector survey and snapshot chart data
- Think tank state of the sector 2022: methodology note
Past reports
The first Think tank state of the sector publication analysed data from 2,802 active think tanks in 2019 (published in 2020). The report provided an overview of and comparisons with the variables in the directory. Some of these variables included think tank regions, topics of focus, date founded, gender of founder, gender of leaders, business models, social media, staff, publications, and turnover.
Read the 2019 report here.
The second Think tank state of the sector publication described the characteristics of think tanks worldwide in 2020–2021 (based on data from 3,107 active think tanks in the Open Think Tank Directory – OTTD); four regional briefs to offer a more nuanced view of think tanks in four different continents (also based on data from the OTTD); and a short report, which analyses the results from a survey on how organisations in the evidence-informed policy sector see their context, the key challenges faced and the main issues to address.
Access the 2020-2021 report here. Find out more about the 2020-2021 survey results here.
Download the regional briefs:
Add your organisation to the Open Think Tank Directory to be included in next year’s State of the sector report.