Nobel Prizes are widely regarded as the most prestigious awards available in their respective fields. The Nobel Prizes are a set of five prizes that, according to Alfred Nobel’s 1895 will, are awarded “to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind”. Nobel Prizes are awarded in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace. Nobel Prizes were first awarded in 1901.
The prize ceremonies take place annually. Each recipient (known as a “laureate”) receives a gold medal, a diploma, and a monetary award. A prize may not be shared among more than three individuals, although the Nobel Peace Prize can be awarded to organizations of more than three people. Although Nobel Prizes are not awarded posthumously, if a person is awarded a prize and dies before receiving it, the prize is presented.
Here are the top 20 countries with the most Nobel Prizes.
| Rank | Country | Nobel Prizes |
| 1. | United States | 390 |
| 2. | United Kingdom | 134 |
| 3. | Germany | 109 |
| 4. | France | 71 |
| 5. | Sweden | 32 |
| 6. | Russia/ Soviet Union | 31 |
| 7. | Japan | 28 |
| 8. | Switzerland | 27 |
| 9. | Canada | 27 |
| 10. | Austria | 22 |
| 11. | Netherlands | 21 |
| 12. | Italy | 20 |
| 13. | Poland | 19 |
| 14. | Denmark | 13 |
| 15. | Hungary | 13 |
| 16. | Norway | 13 |
| 17. | India | 12 |
| 18. | Australia | 14 |
| 19. | Israel | 12 |
| 20. | Belgium | 11 |
| Ireland | 11 | |
| South Africa | 11 |
