Researchers from Georgia Tech developed the framework for measuring open source usage after reviewing an extensive collection of academic literature, professional and general media and holding in-depth interviews with open source experts and practitioners. Each of the 75 countries identified in the study received a summary score for activity and environment. Both activity and environment were measured on three dimensions: government, industry and community/education. Then, each dimension within activity and environment was measured along several quantitative indicators.

Red Hat has provided a map-view of the 75 countries here.

"In completing this study, open source has piqued the interest of Georgia Tech and our students and we've established a course on open source policy which is being taught for the second time during the spring 2009 semester," stated Dr. Douglas S. Noonan, associate professor at the School of Public Policy at Georgia Tech. "Through this class we plan to continue the discussion on why open source succeeds in some countries but struggles to take hold in other regions."

Despite expectations that open source has the strongest following in the less-developed nations, the survey clearly shows that European nations lead the way, along with Australia.  The leaders being (in order) Spain, France Germany, Australia, Finland, UK and Norway; with Brazil ranked 12th and China 15th.