This chapter presents a synthesis of the conceptualization and practice of institutional research (IR) in higher education (HE) in emerging countries across Southern Africa, Latin America and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions. The chapter contextualizes the growing need for IR in these regions, identifies problems and challenges related to the implementation of IR at system and institutional levels, and offers some reflections about the future of IR in these regions. The chapter argues that the homogenizing effect of globalization makes IR practices very much alike across regions.