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2026-03-25 01:02:54

Ranked: Countries With the Most AI Patents

See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.

Which countries are leading in artificial intelligence innovation?

This chart ranks the top countries by AI patents in 2024, based on data from the World Intellectual Property Organization.

China Leads With The Most AI Patents

China currently has the most AI patents at 25,177, showing dominance in overall volume.

Despite the U.S. trailing in AI patents with 17,307, its share of overall patents is higher than China’s—highlighting AI as a larger share of U.S. innovation.

Rank	Country	AI Patents	Total Patents
1	China	25,177	5,688,867
2	United States	17,307	3,519,879
3	South Korea	5,635	1,312,294
4	Japan	4,811	2,085,215
5	Germany	436	963,941
6	Australia	298	163,069
7	France	142	757,026
8	India	138	228,402
9	United Kingdom	119	744,130
10	Mexico	57	111,190
11	Brazil	37	106,827
12	Malaysia	30	38,168
13	Luxembourg	29	163,418
14	Netherlands	22	246,254
15	Sweden	21	152,158
16	Hungary	14	35,950
17	Philippines	13	15,463
18	Colombia	12	9,009
19	New Zealand	11	23,867
19	Serbia	11	9,368
21	Poland	7	111,782
21	Spain	7	217,849
23	Argentina	6	13,053
24	Finland	5	96,416
24	Peru	5	4,539
26	Greece	4	27,510
26	Norway	4	55,349
28	Austria	3	134,163
28	Belgium	3	187,149
28	Chile	3	21,079
28	Morocco	3	4,917
28	Romania	3	27,474
28	Slovakia	3	21,189
34	Denmark	2	109,551
34	Slovenia	2	18,517
36	Bulgaria	1	13,311
36	Costa Rica	1	1,462
36	Ecuador	1	215
36	Latvia	1	10,493
36	Portugal	1	81,509
36	Moldova	1	255
36	Switzerland	1	268,054

South Korea sits in third place for the most AI patents, at 5,635—accounting for 0.43% of overall patents in the country.

Europe and the UK, despite being known for top universities and research and development labs, trail behind. Germany and France are the only European countries to make the top 10, with 436 and 142 patents respectively. The UK has just 119 AI patents, accounting for 0.02% of overall patents.

Interestingly, Mexico nabs 10th place for most AI patents, at 57, beating more general IP hotspots such as the Netherlands, Spain, and Luxembourg.

Concentration Could Affect Competitiveness

The data shows that AI innovation is highly concentrated. Indeed, Chinese companies Tencent, Ping An Insurance Group, Baidu and the Chinese Academy of Sciences had the most patents for generative AI as of 2019. IBM follows in the ranking.

This concentration could be a challenge as countries attempt to shore up sovereign AI capabilities, meaning home-grown innovation and domestic data centers, while also staying competitive.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To learn more about AI, check out this graphic which ranks how AI competitiveness across countries.

2026-03-24 23:45:00

Published

6 hours ago

on

March 24, 2026

By

Julia Wendling

Graphics & Design

• Abha Patil

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The following content is sponsored by Adobe

India on Top: AI Adoption by Country

   

Key Takeaways

• India leads global AI adoption at 92%, the highest rate among surveyed countries.
             
• Several Global South economies—including India, Brazil, and South Africa—are adopting AI faster than many developed nations.
       

India’s tech-savvy workforce is leading the world in artificial intelligence adoption. This signals how emerging economies are becoming key drivers of the next wave of digital productivity. 

This visualization, created in partnership with Adobe, explores how AI adoption varies across countries. The data reveals a growing trend: the Global South is increasingly outpacing the Global North when it comes to integrating AI into everyday work.

As AI tools become more accessible, countries with rapidly digitizing workforces are embracing them as a way to accelerate productivity and innovation.

Where AI Adoption Is Highest

India sits firmly at the top of global AI adoption rankings, with 92% of workers using AI tools several times per week, according to a 2025 Boston Consulting Group survey of 10,635 respondents worldwide. The country’s large technology workforce, strong startup ecosystem, and rapid digital transformation have helped accelerate AI integration across industries.

Country/Region	AI Tools Adoption (%)	Global North/South
India	92	South
Spain	78	North
Brazil	76	South
South Africa	72	South
UK	68	North
Italy	68	North
Germany	67	North
France	64	North
U.S.	64	North
Japan	51	North

Several other Global South economies also show strong uptake. Brazil ranks third globally at 76%, while South Africa follows closely at 72%. These countries are adopting AI quickly as businesses look to boost efficiency and modernize workflows.

In comparison, adoption across much of the Global North is somewhat lower. This is with the exception of Spain, which ranks second overall at 78%. The UK and Italy both report 68% adoption, followed by Germany (67%), France (64%), and the United States (64%).

Meanwhile, Japan reports the lowest adoption rate at 51%, highlighting how structural factors, including an aging population, can influence the speed of AI integration.

From Adoption to Productivity

While AI adoption is rising rapidly worldwide, the real economic impact comes from how these tools are applied in daily work. AI‑enabled document and workflow tools, including platforms such as Adobe Acrobat Studio, are helping organizations streamline routine tasks, reduce manual effort, and allow teams to focus on higher‑value work.

This momentum is increasingly shaping how work gets done day to day. Tasks such as editing reports, reviewing scanned files, or updating PDFs are now commonly handled through online PDF tools. This enables faster collaboration and more efficient decision‑making across teams.

As adoption spreads, countries that successfully embed AI into everyday workflows may gain a significant productivity advantage in the years ahead.

Explore AI-powered Document Workflows.

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2026-03-24 22:22:02

America’s Oil Reversal, From Import Giant to Net Exporter

See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.

As recently as the mid-2000s, the U.S. was importing vast amounts of oil to meet domestic demand. Today, it exports more petroleum than it imports, marking a dramatic reversal in U.S. energy trade.

This chart tracks U.S. oil imports and exports since 1973 based on data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). It shows how the country moved from a major importer to a net exporter after decades of dependence on foreign supply.

The crossover came in 2020, when U.S. petroleum exports exceeded imports for the first time since at least 1949.

When the U.S. Relied on Oil Imports

Historically, the U.S. has been a massive oil importer, driven by its industrial needs and high household consumption as a car-dependent country.

The early 1970s famously saw the U.S. impacted by an energy crisis following an oil embargo by major oil-producing states such as Saudi Arabia. American policymakers came to understand the dangers of oil dependence on foreign producers, contributing to large-scale exploration efforts and the imposition of a ban on crude oil exports without a permit.

The data table below shows U.S. monthly oil imports, exports, and net imports in thousands of barrels per day (kbd) from 1973 to January 2026.

Oil imports peaked in 2005 at nearly 15 million barrels per day, at a time when domestic oil production was far outstripped by demand. Key import markets included Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela.

The Shale Boom That Changed the Balance

The late 2000s and early 2010s marked a turning point in the U.S. energy trajectory. Demand was softened by the 2008 recession and global financial crisis, while domestic production began to take off with a shale oil boom and new oilfield discoveries in states like North Dakota.

Steadily growing production led the U.S. to repeal its longstanding ban on oil exports in 2015, setting the stage for the country to boost production and compete globally with other major players such as Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Notably, at the time of repeal oil imports made up roughly a third of total consumption, down from its peak of approximately 60% in 2005.

The U.S. as a Global Exporter

Contrary to small petrostates such as those seen in the Persian Gulf, the U.S. has a large, powerful, and diversified economy of which oil exports make up only a small portion.

However, the shift of the U.S. from a net importer to becoming a net exporter has reshaped global energy markets, as the country surpassed Russia and Saudi Arabia to become the world’s top crude oil producer in the late 2010s.

Rising U.S. production has reduced reliance on foreign oil and reshaped global energy flows. Today, oil and gas form key components of the economies of states like Texas, New Mexico, and North Dakota.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Where the World’s Oil Comes From by Region on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

2026-03-24 20:05:15

Mapped: Where Tech Jobs Grew Fastest Across America in 2025

See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.

In 2025, tech job growth in America shifted away from its biggest hubs. While California still employs more tech workers than any other state, it saw employment decline, alongside other large markets like Texas. Meanwhile, a smaller group of states posted the fastest gains.

This map shows which states led the country in tech job growth, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data compiled via Arizona State University.

The results suggest that momentum is spreading beyond the largest legacy centers, with several smaller states outpacing the industry’s traditional leaders.

Ranked: The U.S. States Leading Tech Job Growth in 2025

Utah ranks first overall, with tech employment rising 6.3% annually, adding roughly 3,000 jobs.

Home to “Silicon Slopes,” Utah is projected to have the third-fastest tech job growth this decade. Illinois (+5.7%) and South Carolina (+4.8%) follow, rounding out a top three that reflects a mix of established and emerging tech ecosystems.

Other notable gainers include Colorado (+4.6%) and Washington (+3.0%), both of which continue to build on strong existing tech sectors.

At the same time, several large states with significant tech workforces saw flat or declining growth. California, the country’s largest tech employer with over 500,000 jobs, recorded a 2.8% decline. Texas (-2.0%) and New York (0.0%) also lagged.

In total, two-thirds of U.S. states recorded declines in tech employment.

Overall, New Mexico saw the sharpest contraction nationwide, with tech employment falling 11%. Jobs in Rhode Island and Georgia, meanwhile, fell 7.1% and 6.7%, respectively.

What’s Driving the Shift in Tech Jobs?

Of course, one key driver behind these trends is the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence.

Across the tech sector, companies are restructuring around AI—both creating demand for specialized roles and reducing the need for others. In 2025, AI was cited as a contributing factor in thousands of job cuts, while also driving hiring in high-skill areas.

As AI reshapes hiring across the industry, the biggest story isn’t job loss or growth alone, but where opportunities are moving next.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the top 40 jobs most exposed to AI.

2026-03-24 12:46:13

Mapped: Minimum Wages Across Europe

See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.

Europe’s minimum wages vary dramatically from country to country.

This map uses data from Eurostat to show monthly minimum pay across the continent, revealing a stark divide between Western and Eastern Europe, along with a surprising group of wealthy countries that operate without a statutory national minimum wage.

The East-West Split in Europe’s Minimum Wages

Luxembourg has Europe’s highest monthly minimum wage at €2,704, while Ukraine sits at just €164.

That means a minimum wage worker in Luxembourg earns more than 16 times as much per month as one in Ukraine.

Rank	Country	Country	Monthly minimum wage (€)
1	Luxembourg	Luxembourg	2,704
2	Ireland	Ireland	2,282
3	United Kingdom	United Kingdom	2,279
4	Netherlands	Netherlands	2,246
5	Germany	Germany	2,161
6	Belgium	Belgium	2,112
7	France	France	1,802
10	Spain	Spain	1,381
11	Slovenia	Slovenia	1,278
12	Poland	Poland	1,100
13	Lithuania	Lithuania	1,038
14	Greece	Greece	1,027
15	Portugal	Portugal	1,015
16	Cyprus	Cyprus	1,000
17	Croatia	Croatia	970
18	Malta	Malta	961
19	Estonia	Estonia	886
20	Czechia	Czechia	841
21	Slovakia	Slovakia	816
22	Romania	Romania	797
23	Latvia	Latvia	740
24	Hungary	Hungary	727
25	Montenegro	Montenegro	670
26	Serbia	Serbia	618
27	North Macedonia	North Macedonia	584
28	Türkiye	Türkiye	558
29	Bulgaria	Bulgaria	551
30	Albania	Albania	408
31	Moldova	Moldova	279
32	Ukraine	Ukraine	164
--	Austria	Austria	NA
--	Italy	Italy	NA
--	Switzerland	Switzerland	NA
--	Denmark	Denmark	NA
--	Finland	Finland	NA
--	Iceland	Iceland	NA
--	Norway	Norway	NA
--	Sweden	Sweden	NA

People in Ireland are paid the second-highest in Europe, at €2,282. The island has become the de-facto hub for U.S. firms in Europe, and is home to many large tech companies, which means average salaries are likely to be much more.

The UK followed at €2,279, a figure calculated from the statutory hourly minimum wage from the Gov.uk website for a 37.5 hour work-week, which is typical in the country. The UK was the first European country to introduce a minimum wage, in 1909.

There’s a clear split between the eastern and western sides of Europe, with only two countries in Eastern Europe—Poland and Slovenia—seeing monthly minimum wages above €1,000.

Countries Without a Legal Minimum Wage

Some countries don’t have statutory minimum wages inscribed into law, but they do exist. In Nordic countries — Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland — wages are set by collective agreements instead.

Switzerland also doesn’t have a statutory minimum wage, but salary floors are set by states or sectors. In Geneva, one of the most well-paid areas, minimum wage would amount to €4,667 per a 40-hour work week.

In Austria, a €1,700 benchmark has been set via agreements. Italy’s minimum wage is also set by sectoral agreements but it differs widely depending on sector and skill level.

Interestingly, countries without statutory minimum wages are also some of the world’s happiest and richest.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To learn more about minimum wages, check out this graphic which ranks salaries across U.S. states.

2026-03-24 01:16:45

Ranked: Countries With the Most Patents per Capita

See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.

Monaco has over 300,000 patents per 100,000 people—more than 12 times higher than the next country.

This striking gap highlights how patent activity is often concentrated in small financial hubs rather than large industrial economies.

This chart ranks countries by active patents per 100,000 people, based on 2024 data from the World Intellectual Property Organization.

Active Patents by Country Per Person

Check out the data here:

Rank	Country	Active Patents per 100,000 People
1	Monaco	307,237
2	Luxembourg	24,318
3	Ireland	3,752
4	Switzerland	3,015
5	South Korea	2,536
6	Iceland	2,418
7	Denmark	1,847
8	Finland	1,734
9	Japan	1,691
10	Belgium	1,591
11	Austria	1,469
12	Sweden	1,445
13	The Netherlands	1,377
14	Malta	1,312
15	Germany	1,140
16	France	1,107
17	United Kingdom	1,099
18	United States	1,051
19	Norway	995
20	Hong Kong	977
21	Slovenia	873
22	Singapore	839
23	Macao	814
24	Portugal	788
25	Estonia	780
26	Italy	650
27	Australia	612
28	Latvia	558
29	Czechia	464
30	New Zealand	457
31	Spain	451
32	Lithuania	434
33	Israel	418
34	China	404
35	Slovakia	390
36	Hungary	374
37	Croatia	349
38	North Macedonia	302
39	Poland	296
40	Bulgaria	207
41	Russia	169
42	South Africa	165
43	Romania	144
44	Serbia	141
45	Malaysia	112
46	Chile	108
47	Türkiye	105
48	Mexico	86
49	Sao Tome and Principe	64
50	Trinidad and Tobago	59
51	Andorra	59
52	Ukraine	56
53	Brazil	53
54	Iran	50
55	Mongolia	47
56	Panama	47
57	United Arab Emirates	44
58	Zambia	42
59	Saudi Arabia	40
60	Bahrain	37
61	Thailand	34
62	Uruguay	33
63	Argentina	29
64	Costa Rica	28
65	Viet Nam	23
66	Georgia	23
67	Barbados	22
68	Qatar	18
69	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	18
70	Colombia	17
71	Jamaica	16
72	India	16
73	Algeria	15
74	Belarus	15
75	El Salvador	14
76	Kazakhstan	14
77	Namibia	14
78	Peru	13
79	Philippines	13
80	Morocco	13
81	Iraq	11
82	Dominican Republic	10
83	Moldova	10
84	Ghana	10
85	Oman	8
86	Sri Lanka	5
87	Egypt	5
88	Honduras	4
89	Azerbaijan	4
90	Cuba	4
91	Paraguay	4
92	Uzbekistan	3
93	Syria	3
94	Kyrgyzstan	3
95	Zimbabwe	2
96	Bosnia and Herzegovina	2
97	Kuwait	2
98	Bangladesh	1
99	Guatemala	1
100	Ecuador	1
101	Pakistan	1
102	Cyprus	1
103	Madagascar	1
104	Bhutan	1
105	Venezuela	1
106	Armenia	1
107	Greece	0
108	Ethiopia	0
109	Uganda	0
110	Myanmar	0

Monaco and Luxembourg stand far above the rest, but their rankings are likely shaped by their role as legal hubs for intellectual property rather than where innovation physically takes place.

This pattern continues with Ireland and Switzerland, which also rank highly due to favorable tax and regulatory environments for holding patents.

Among major industrial economies, South Korea stands out with 2,536 patents per 100,000 people, outperforming Japan, the U.S., and China. Home to global tech giants like Samsung and LG, the country has built a strong ecosystem for innovation.

Across Europe, several smaller economies also rank highly. Nordic countries in particular combine modest populations with strong research and development investment, with Iceland reaching 2,418 patents per 100,000 people.

By contrast, the U.S. records 1,051 patents per 100,000 people, placing it behind much of Western Europe on this metric.

China’s reputation as the maker of cheap goods and toys has evolved significantly in recent years, and today it is known as a technology leader. The country leads in raw numbers with 5.6 million active patents but when adjusting for population, it sits behind 34 other countries at just 404 patents per 100,000 people.

Innovation Isn’t Always Registered Where It Is Made

Patent data often reflects where intellectual property is registered rather than where innovation actually occurs.

Multinational companies frequently shift patents across borders to benefit from tax advantages, royalty structures, or legal protections.

As a result, countries with favorable IP regimes can appear disproportionately strong in per-capita rankings, even if much of the underlying innovation originates elsewhere.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To learn more about patents, check out this graphic which ranks the countries with the most AI patents.