Which countries have the most Nobel Prize winners?

The Nobel Prize, one of the world’s most prestigious honors, has been awarded to individuals and organisations for their outstanding contributions to humanity in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economic Sciences since its inception in 1901.

While the prize celebrates the individual or collective brilliance of minds, it also offers insight into the scientific, cultural, and political landscapes of different countries. Beyond the recognition of individual accomplishments, understanding the distribution of Nobel laureates across countries can shed light on the global landscape of innovation and scientific achievement.

Another point to mention is history; the First World War and decolonisation created dozens of new nations that will have not had the time or money to significantly contribute to the field of science.

The countries with the most Nobel Prize winners

Nations at the top of the list have a few traits in common. These countries have well-established and renowned universities and research institutions that attract top-notch scholars and researchers from around the world.

These countries are also relatively strong economies, which means they can afford to fund scientific research and provide resources for researchers to carry out their work. Their historical longevity is important too; it is difficult to create a tradition of science or literature if your country is very new. Out of the following list, only Israel was created in the last 100 years.