What country has the most mathematicians?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the question of which country has the most mathematicians, exploring various definitions of "mathematician" and considering factors such as population size, educational opportunities, and historical contributions to mathematics. The scope includes theoretical considerations, demographic analysis, and educational contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest Russia or China as potential leaders in the number of mathematicians, citing their emphasis on mathematics education.
  • Others argue that historical contributions from European mathematicians like Newton and Gauss complicate the discussion of contemporary mathematicians.
  • A participant questions the criteria for defining a mathematician, suggesting different metrics such as PhD holders, those working in mathematics-related fields, or undergraduate students.
  • There is a suggestion that the absolute number of mathematicians may correlate with population size, with China and the USA being prominent candidates.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the quality of mathematics education in China compared to the USA, despite its larger population.
  • Japan is mentioned as having a history of notable mathematicians, but concerns are raised about the cultural factors that may affect individual creativity in mathematics.
  • Discussion includes the availability of mathematics textbooks in China and Japan, indicating a shift in focus from the original question of the number of mathematicians to the quality of mathematics education.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on which country has the most mathematicians, as multiple competing views and definitions remain. The discussion reflects a variety of perspectives on the criteria for measuring mathematicians and the implications of population size and educational systems.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in defining "mathematician" and the potential impact of cultural and educational factors on the development of mathematics in different countries. There are unresolved questions regarding the metrics used to evaluate the number of mathematicians.

Math10
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What country has the most mathematicians?
 
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With no solid facts to work from, I would bet on Russia. They emphasize mathematics and seem to be very good at it.
 
I see. Thank you. I first thought it's Germany.
 
Most likely China. It's big.
 
But how come many great mathematicians aren't Asians? Great mathematicians like Isaac Newton, Gauss, they're all from Europe and Greek.
 
I think that there is no doubt that China is striving in this direction, but in my opinion, the quality is not there. There is a reason why "Made in China" now means what "Made in Japan" meant in 1945.
 
Math 10: You may want to define things more clearly what you mean by a mathematician. Do you mean number of people living in the country who have a PHD in Mathematics? Do you refer to the ones that have a degree and are working in a Mathematics-related area, etc.?

EDIT: If you are considering the rate of mathematicians ( by most "reasonable" definitions of the term) , you should also consider Japan.
 
Last edited:
Math10 said:
But how come many great mathematicians aren't Asians? Great mathematicians like Isaac Newton, Gauss, they're all from Europe and Greek.
Greece is a part of Europe.

"Number of great mathematicians in the past" and "number of mathematicians today" are completely different things. And European mathematicians had it easier to get into European history books.

If you want to look for absolute numbers, total population is a good place to start. China has many mathematicians, the US has a large number as well. All other countries have a significantly smaller population or probably a lower mathematician fraction (List of countries by population).
I can rule out Germany and Russia here simply because they just have 1/4 and 1/2 the population of the US - and not twice or four times the rate of mathematicians.
 
To the OP:

When you are asking about which country has the most mathematicians, what exactly are you asking? Are you asking which country has the most number of people currently working as mathematicians? Which country has the most number of people with PhDs in mathematics, or the most number of current PhD students specializing in mathematics? Which country that has the most number of current undergraduate students specializing in mathematics?

Also, are you looking at absolute numbers, or per capita numbers (i.e. number of mathematicians in proportion to the overall population)? The question is more vague than what is presented, and the answers could vary quite significantly.
 
  • #10
Math10 said:
What country has the most mathematicians?
My initial thought is that it's the one with the most people. Along with other considerations that have been mentioned, that pretty much narrows it down to China. If you mean the most per capita, then I have no clue.
 
  • #11
If the OP refers to the number of people working as mathematicians my bet would be the USA. China is a bigger country but that is not the only factor, the number of people who go the university, get a PhD and THEN find a job is more important and I don't think there are nearly as many opportunities for this in China as in the USA(yet),.
 
  • #12
Vietnam has one
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ngô_Bảo_Châu
But seriously I don't know anything about him. I don't think he is any better than many people here.
When I could get any prize, I would hire 1000 people to spread news about me. I then should become more famous.
 
  • #13
So Japan is really advanced in math?
 
  • #14
Math10 said:
So Japan is really advanced in math?
I don't know about Japanese mathematicians. But Japanese people's sense of community works the way to kill individual creativity, so it is not a good place for mathematics to grow to the highest level. It's like a formal system with strict rules to control free tokens.
I only wish to visit Japan not to live there. :)
 
  • #15
Then where can I get Chinese college math textbooks? What bookstore has them? I have lived in China for more than 8 years when I was young. I know how to speak Chinese fluently.
 
  • #16
Actually, Japan has (and has had a history of ) a lot of really good Mathematicians: Kodaira, Ito , etc.
 
  • #17
Where can I get Japanese advanced math textbooks? Should I learn Japanese? If necessary, I can think about going to Japan.
 
  • #18
Why don't you do an online search on Graduate Text in Mathematics by Japanese authors ? These texts are likely translated into English.
 
  • #19
Maybe I should do that. And thanks to everyone who answered this question.
 
  • #20
mfb said:
Greece is a part of Europe.

Yes, of course, but the greek 'mathematical world' extended beyond Europe. The greatest mathematical center of ancient times was Alexandria.
Euclid, Eratosthenes, Heron, Menelaus, Pappus, Diophantus... All these names, and more, are connected with Alexandria.
 
  • #21
@Math10: There is no reason to assume a country with more mathematicians has better textbooks in general. If you do not assume that, I don't see the connection between your posts here.
 
  • #22
Medicol said:
Vietnam has one
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ngô_Bảo_Châu
But seriously I don't know anything about him. I don't think he is any better than many people here.
When I could get any prize, I would hire 1000 people to spread news about me. I then should become more famous.

I've never heard of him, but he's won a fields metal... how can you say he's not any better than many people here? I'd like to see the list of PF members who've won fields metals.
 
  • #23
Math10 said:
Then where can I get Chinese college math textbooks? What bookstore has them? I have lived in China for more than 8 years when I was young. I know how to speak Chinese fluently.
You're now dealing with an entirely different question. You originally asked which country had the most mathematicians (and not necessarily professional ones), but now with your request for the availability of textbooks, if seems as if you want to know which one has the best math education system. Those aren't the same thing.

edit: Oh... hi Mfb. You posted that while I was composing this. I didn't mean to poach your response.
 

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