Fact: The politically and economically freest countries in the world generate the most Nobel Prizes – in medicine, physics, chemistry, economics, and even peace. Conversely, the least free generate the fewest Nobel Prizes. While liberal politics can infect the process – ala President Barack Obama getting a Nobel Peace Prize for being – the Nobel and freedom index numbers are startling.
If you need a compelling argument for freedom, the Nobel Prize list – set beside indicators of economic and political freedom – is a powerful one.
As leftists infect the American political conversation and process, referring back to data can be helpful, perhaps even persuasive in the right circles.
In general, the full list of Nobel Prizes generated by a country is – except for political bias for or against a specific leader – a relatively solid, reliable source. Similarly, indices of freedom – economic and political – generally mirror or confirm each other; they are also solid data.
So, look with me at how interesting the comparisons are, the linkage between freedom and achievement, smaller or less intrusive government, with outcomes worth recognition. In short, freer countries tend to excel, while communist, socialist, and dictatorial countries fail.
The Nobel Prize list is not controversial, just recites facts. The freedom indexes are not controversial; differing methodologies yield results that are more or less the same.
Accordingly, using the 2026 Heritage Foundation Freedom Index, look what we find. The Freedom Index ranks countries from 1 to 184 on “economic opportunity, individual empowerment, and prosperity.” Roughly speaking, those “under 40” are the freest, those “over 100” least free.
So, look at the comparison – or the alignment – of freedom with achievement.
The least free countries include Bangladesh at 120, Laos 141, Pakistan 152, Congo 153, Ethiopia 155, Lebanon 166, Venezuela 174, Cuba 175, Iran, Yemen, Somalia, so “unfree” they are not ranked, and China at 154.
Of the countries above – the least free – Laos, Congo, Cuba, Yemen, and Somalia have zero Nobel Prizes, all others one Nobel Prize, except for Pakistan, Iran, and Venezuela (free in the past) – each with two Nobel Prizes to their name. China has eight (8) Nobel Prizes.
Now, look at the freest countries (with a list of variables contributing to the number). They include Switzerland at 2, Sweden at 11, Canada at 14, the US at 22, Germany at 24, Great Britain at 29, Japan at 30, Austria at 33, and Poland at 40.
How do these freer countries do on Nobel Prizes? Switzerland has 25, Sweden 34, Canada 29, Germany 115, Great Britain 148, Japan 34, Austria 25, and Poland 19. The United States – with the world’s pathbreaking Bill of Rights – has more than any other nation, at 432 Nobel Prizes.
So, what is the takeaway? When you compare free versus unfree countries, when you compare free markets, economic freedom, limited government, and political freedom on one side, socialism, communism, dictatorship, and theocratic oppression (Iran) on the other, there is no comparison.
Just think again about one fact. The United States of America has more Nobel Prizes than any nation by a magnitude, 432 total. Communist China, self-assured yet unfree, has just eight (8). There is a reason we should vigorously defend freedom, uncompromisingly oppose concentrated power.
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, Maine attorney, ten-year naval intelligence officer (USNR), and 25-year businessman. He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (North Country Press, 2018), and “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024). He is the National Spokesman for AMAC. Today, he is running to be Maine’s next Governor (please visit BobbyforMaine.com to learn more)!
