Luxembourg: Despite predictions of stagnation, global scientific output continues to grow rapidly, fueled by the expansion of higher education and international collaboration.

Millions of scientific papers are published annually across various disciplines, reflecting an unprecedented growth in research.

This expansion, which began in the 20th century, has defied predictions by experts like Derek de Solla Price, who warned in 1963 of a potential slowdown due to limited resources.

Instead, the world has witnessed the rise of "global mega-science," a vast network of research driven by universities and international collaborations. Higher education has played a critical role in this growth, with increasing numbers of young adults pursuing university degrees. Today, over 38,000 universities worldwide contribute to 80-90% of published discoveries.

International collaborations, once rare, now account for nearly a quarter of all scientific papers. These partnerships, facilitated by universities' openness and shared goals, have produced groundbreaking research in fields ranging from space exploration to pandemic response.

While challenges such as declining birthrates and unequal access to education threaten future growth, expanding higher education remains key to sustaining global scientific progress.