In this article we take a look at the 12 most advanced countries in computer technology. For more countries see 5 most advanced countries in computer technology.
Computer technology is the backbone of the modern world. Since Charles Babbage started tinkering with the so-called Difference Engine in 1822 and Konrad Zuse built the Z3 in 1938, computer technology has improved by leaps and bounds. A simple example of this fact is that some of the first computers weighed as much as 70 kilograms, and today’s most advanced processors have transistors as small as 3 nanometers. For reference, a single human hair is believed to be up to 100,000 nanometers thick.
Much of the advancement in the modern computing age is due to hardware innovations. Semiconductors, which have become one of the most valuable products in the world, are the chips that power devices like smartphones and laptops. These owe their origin to a series of developments that took place in the United States in the 1970s. In fact, it’s fair to say that the US Navy created the world’s first chip when it teamed up with Garrett AiResearch to develop a computer for the F-14 Tomcat fighter jet. At the same time, Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) Intel 4004 and a similar product from Texas Instruments Incorporated (NASDAQ:TXN) also took shape. From then until now, billions of microprocessors have been produced and the rest is history.
While the microprocessor is at the heart of computing technology, as no computer can run without it, the field itself encompasses a variety of other subsystems as well. This includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), storage, monitors, displays, peripherals, routers, power management devices, signal processors, and mounts. The industry itself is one of the largest in the world, and according to research firm The Business Research Company, the global information technology market was worth a whopping $8.3 trillion in 2020. That’s right folks, IT is more valuable than crude oil in this day and age world. By the end of 2022, which is just days away, the research firm expects the IT industry to be worth another staggering $9.3 trillion.
But even though IT has taken the world by storm, its days are numbered. The physical limit of microprocessors is fast approaching, which in simple terms means that the hardware will stop evolving after 2 nanometers and maybe 1 nanometer. Major chipmakers like Intel and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE:TSM) are aiming to start producing 2-nanometer chips in 2025, so the end of computing progress could perhaps come by the end of this decade.
The “end” of traditional arithmetic, of course. Even though silicon-based chips are at their peak, quantum computing is only just beginning. While a conventional computer performs billions of on/off or 0/1 calculations by turning its transistors on or off, a quantum computer is not limited to these binary states and can therefore perform far better. On the other hand, while information technology is capped at a CAGR of 11.2%, the quantum computing market is projected to grow at a staggering CAGR of 31.2% to $4.7 billion between 2022 and 2029. Alongside Intel are International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM), Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG), Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ:RGTI) and D-Wave Systems Inc. (NYSE:QBTS).
Credit: IBM
Our methodology
We used data from the OECD patent database to filter out the world’s leading computer technology countries. The patents used fall under the WIPO application category of computer technology.
12 most advanced countries in computer technology
12. Commonwealth of Australia
Number of computer technology patents between 1999 and 2019: 2,183
The Commonwealth of Australia, or simply Australia, is the only country in the world that covers the mainland of an entire continent. Australia is an affluent nation with a GDP per capita of $62,192. Also, there are billions of dollars spent on research every year. In fact, according to Accenture, Australia’s tech sector contributes a whopping $167 billion to the economy of a country that has historically relied on its mining industry to fuel growth. Australians have contributed to WiFi and spectroscopy. They also achieved 2,183 patents between 1999 and 2019 – despite the country ranking 53rd in the world in terms of population.
11. State of Israel
Number of computer technology patents between 1999 and 2019: 2,450
The State of Israel is a Middle Eastern country that is one of the most technologically advanced in the region. Israeli companies are known for their computer technology, Intel has chip factories in the country and the Israeli startup ecosystem is one of the most vibrant in the world. Most Israeli homes use solar power to heat their water, and the country had more than 6,000 startups in 2021. Israeli scientists have also developed unique encryption and information-sharing algorithms, and one of their most important contributions to computing technology was the development of the nanowire – which has applications for both traditional and quantum computing. It is therefore not surprising that between 1999 and 2019 Israel filed 2,450 patents for computer technology.
10. Republic of India
Number of computer technology patents between 1999 and 2019: 4,179
The Republic of India is the third largest economy in the world and the second largest country in terms of population. Due to its population, its telecommunications industry has one of the largest subscriber bases in the world. In fact, India beat China in exploring Mars, as its orbiter was the first to reach Mars and the first to do so on the first attempt. In terms of computer technology, Indians invented a programming language, an antenna, and even microwave communications. Some Indian computer technology companies are Compuage Infocom Limited (NSE:COMPINFO.NS), HCL Infosystems Limited (NSE:HCL-INSYS.NS), Vintron Informatics Ltd. and Cerebra Integrated Technologies Limited (NSE:CEREBRAINT.BO). Between 1999 and 2019 there were 4,179 Indian computer technology patents.
9. Republic of China (ROC)
Number of computer technology patents between 1999 and 2019: 4,216
The Republic of China (ROC), commonly known as Taiwan, is an island region in the South China Sea that few countries recognize as a state. However, any mention of a list of the leading computer technology countries would simply be incomplete without them. This is due to the simple fact that Taiwan is home to the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE:TSM). Commonly known as TSMC, the company is the backbone of modern semiconductor manufacturing. Most of its facilities are in Taiwan, and its 3-nanometer chip manufacturing technology is one of the most advanced in the world — in the spirit of chip giant Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC), which has dominated the industry for decades.
Taiwan also has other high-end technology companies like MediaTek Inc. (TPE:2454.TW) and Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:HNHPF) – the latter being Apple’s main manufacturing partner and responsible for making iPhones in the world. Taiwan had 4,216 patents in its name between 1999 and 2019.
8. Canada
Number of computer technology patents between 1999 and 2019: 7,175
Canada is a resource-rich North American country and one of the few developed countries in the world. Canada is also one of the most scientifically advanced nations in the world having an active space program and has contributed to the world with several different inventions such as the polio vaccine, insulin, batteries, stem cells and even black holes. Some Canadian computer technology companies are The Descartes Systems Group Inc. (NASDAQ:DSGX), Constellation Software Inc. (OTCMKTS:CNSWF) and CGI Inc. (NYSE:GIB). Top Canadian universities for computer technology include the University of British Columbia, the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto. Canada received 7,175 patents between 1999 and 2019, making it the second largest in North America after the powerful USA
7. Japan
Number of computer technology patents between 1999 and 2019: 8,983
Japan is an Asian island nation with the world’s nominally third largest economy despite having the eleventh largest population. It is also one of the most scientifically advanced countries in the world and a world leader in robotics and research with hundreds of thousands of researchers. It is also one of the world’s largest personal computing markets and regularly sends astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). Japan also has some of the world’s leading computer companies such as Hitachi, Ltd. (OTCMKTS:HTHIY), Fujitsu Limited (OTCMKTS:FJTSY) and Toshiba Corporation (OTCMKTS:TOSBF). His computer technology patents totaled 8,983 between 1999 and 2019.
6. French Republic
Number of computer technology patents between 1999 and 2019: 10,382
The French Republic is a prosperous European nation with a $3.6 trillion economy and major power status in world politics. In terms of computer technology, France began using the abacus in the 11th century. A staggering 70 French have won the Nobel Prize, and it’s also one of the few countries in the world with its own missile array, nuclear power plants, nuclear submarines and aircraft carrier. His patents were 10,382 between 1999 and 2019, the third highest in Europe.
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Disclosure: None. 12 most advanced countries in computer technology was originally published on Insider Monkey.
