2020 Nobel Peace Prize Odds: Winners, Predictions, Picks & More

In a world where more is uncertain than is certain, we’ve still got the annual Nobel Peace Prize, awarded on October 9—And we’ve got the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize odds for the winner and our betting picks.

Did you know? The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded annually since 1901. The Swedish chemist, engineer and industrialist Alfred Nobel died in 1895 and wrote in his will that he wanted the majority of his wealth to go towards establishing the Nobel Peace Prize, but his family opposed and contested this. The first Nobel Peace Prize was awarded in 1901, and has been awarded (nearly) each year since.

2020 Nobel Peace Prize Odds via BetOnline:

How do Nobel Peace Prize Nominations Work?

You might be looking at a few names on this list and wondering, “How did they get nominated?” You might find it interesting to note that nearly anyone can be nominated, as long as the nominator meets certain criteria and are considered a qualified nominator.

What makes a qualified nominator?:

• Former & current members of the Norweigian Nobel Committee
• Former advisors to the Norweigian Nobel Committee
• Members of Nobel Board of Directors, or equivalent organizations that have awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
• People who have previously won the Nobel Peace Prize
• University & emeriti professors, Associate professors, social sciences, law, philosophy, theology, and religion; university recrots and university directors (or their equivalents); directors of peace research institues and foreign policy institutes.
• International board of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom members
• L’Institut de Droit International members
• The International Court of Justice in the Hague and The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague
• Members of national assemblies and national governments (cabinet members/ministers) of sovereign states & current heads of states

Top 5 Nobel Prize Nominees: How they stack up  

World Health Organization: WHO +200

The World Health Organization (WHO) is the favorite to win the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize as the Coronavirus, or Covid-19 pandemic rages on around the world. The WHO aims to protect citizens from health emergencies & provide the world with ‘better health and well-being’, and although they’ve received criticism for some of their handling of the situation, they were responsible for the initial communication that a flu-pandemic was happening, and would likely get worse.

Jacinda Adern +350

Jacinda Adern is a strong favorite to win the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize. The New Zealand prime minister has been lauded in the press and by New Zealand citizens for how well they’ve handled the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

Greta Thunberg +400

Originally a strong favorite, Greta has dropped slightly since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic. However, wild fires are ravishing many parts of Oregan and LA, bringing new attention to environmental issues—This could mean that Thunberg is a great betting choice. If you wager $100 on Thunberg and she wins, you make a $400 profit.

UNHCR +1200

The UN Refugee Agenct is a global organization that aims to save lives by protecting human rights and creating more opportunities & standards of living for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. The UNHCR won the Nobel Prize in 1954, and was the first United Nations organization to win the prize. This year, the UNHCR is nominated for their

Donald Trump: Why & how was he nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize?

The question on everyone’s mind—Why was Donald Trump nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize? A few have their own ideas.

One thing that’s important to note is a rule we already touched on—A nominator can be a member of a national government. In Trump’s case, he was nominated by a far-right Norwegian politician, Christian Tybring-Gjedde. Which still doesn’t answer the question, why? Well, Tybring-Gjedde credits Trump for his role in creating a relationship between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, while Magnus Jacobsson, a member of the Christian Democrats in the Swedish parliament also nominated Trump (along with Kosovo and Serbia) for “their join work for peace and economic development.” It’s worth noting that both Benito Mussolini and Joseph Stalin were nominated for the prize, and didn’t win.

However, Trump doesn’t seem to have the most sophisticated understanding of how the award works. At a North Carolina rally, Trump said, “Can you believe it? In one week they nominated me, not for one, but for two Nobel prizes.” We’re not sure which two Nobel Prizes Trump thinks he’s nominated for, but he was nominated twice for the same award.

How Nobel Peace Prize Odds have Changed & Our Pick

Originally, the Greta Thunberg was a strong favorite to win the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize, and while she’s still a strong contender, the WHO is the running to take the prize this year.

Obviously, the Coronavirus has made a mega impact on the world at large, and this has made Jacinda Adern a strong favorite for bookmakers. She’s received public praise on the world stage, and in addition to how she handled the Coronavirus, Adern is also environmentally-conscious, and implemented a zero-carbon law in the country among other ‘green’ efforts.

We wouldn’t bet on Trump, quite frankly—Even though he’s 5^th in the odds from BetOnline, and four United States president’s have won the prize (Barack Obama, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Jimmy Carter) we just can’t see Trump securing the prize considering how controversial some people find his communications & policies.

GO’s Picks for 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Winner

Our top pick for 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Winner odds is Jacinda Adern—Compared to other nominees (not to take away from their accomplishments) Adern has done an exceptional job of managing the coronavirus pandemic in New Zealand, and has made the environment a priority, whereas other nominees on this list have a more singular focus or reason for their nomination.

How much would you win if you wagered $50 for Adern to win the Nobel Peace Prize? What about $150?

If Adern takes home the prize:

• Wager $50, you’ll take home $175
• Wager $100, you’ll take home $350
• Wager $150, you’ll take home $525
• Wager $200, you’ll take home $700

It’s worth noting three New Zealanders (Ernest Rutherford, Maurice Wilkins and Alan MacDiarmid) have won the Nobel Prize in the past, and all three have won for their contributions to science. However, a New Zealand prime minister hasn’t won before, which would be a new title? record? for the future Nobel Prize Laureate.