As of 2026, the United States dominates the leaderboard with over 400 Nobel laureates, a figure more than double that of the runner-up, the United Kingdom, and exceeding the combined total of the nations ranked 3rd through 12th. A striking observation: The vast majority of these accolades were earned post-WWII, fueled by massive R&D investment (accounting for nearly 30% of global spending) and the 'brain magnet' effect—where nearly half of all US-affiliated winners are foreign-born. In contrast, the top-tier European nations hold their positions largely due to centuries-old academic foundations and deep-rooted scientific traditions.