In the latest Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, the University of Latvia (UL) has been ranked 92nd in the world for its contribution to advancing gender equality. UL also holds leading positions in Latvia across several sustainability areas and is the only higher education institution in Latvia to be comprehensively assessed across all 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), demonstrating its broad impact at both the national and global levels.
The THE Impact Rankings assess universities based on their contribution to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“This is a unique ranking that, unlike traditional university rankings, provides a much broader assessment of a university’s impact on society, the environment and sustainable development. UL’s particularly strong performance in gender equality – ranking 92nd globally – is a significant recognition of the University’s values and everyday practices, which consistently promote equal opportunities and an inclusive academic environment. At the same time, being the only university in Latvia to be comprehensively assessed across all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals highlights the breadth and multidimensional nature of our impact – from research and education to advancing societal and environmental sustainability,” said Professor Gundars Bērziņš, Rector of the University of Latvia.
UL is the only university in Latvia whose contribution has been assessed in the following SDGs: No Poverty, Life Below Water, Life on Land, Zero Hunger, Reduced Inequalities, and Clean Water and Sanitation.
The University holds the leading position in Latvia for Gender Equality and Quality Education. Its contribution to Decent Work and Economic Growth and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions was ranked joint first alongside Riga Technical University (RTU) and Riga Stradiņš University (RSU). UL also shares first place with RSU in Sustainable Cities and Communities.
The ranking measures not only the volume of academic publications but also real institutional action and impact. Each SDG is evaluated using a combination of indicators, including bibliometric analysis of research, quantitative performance metrics, and evidence-based assessments of institutional policies and initiatives. This comprehensive evaluation of research outcomes, institutional governance, public engagement and educational activities provides a well-rounded picture of universities’ contributions to sustainable development.
The overall 2026 result is primarily based on performance in Partnerships for the Goals, together with the institution’s three highest-performing individual SDGs, highlighting each university’s strongest areas of expertise. UL’s overall result also reflects its performance in Gender Equality, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
In the overall ranking, UL was placed in the 401–600 band among more than 1,600 higher education institutions worldwide.
More information about the results is available on the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings website.
This text was translated using AI.
