It’s common for people to compare their intelligence with others, whether they’re friends, family members, or even strangers. However, intelligence is often influenced by factors such as location, upbringing, and education. Have you ever been curious about the countries with the highest average IQ? In this report, we’ll be exploring the smartest countries around the world.
IQ (intelligence quotient) is a measure of cognitive ability determined through standardized tests that assess various aspects of intelligence, such as memory, problem-solving skills, mathematical ability, and linguistic skills. The average IQ is typically set at 100 on most tests, with higher or lower scores indicating higher or lower cognitive ability, respectively. Think your country is wicked smart? Discover where it ranks in this list.
It is important to note that measuring IQ involves carefully designed and calibrated tests to ensure accuracy and fairness. However, IQ is just one measure of cognitive ability and may not capture all aspects of human intelligence. A country’s average IQ does not conclusively determine its citizens’ potential or capabilities. Therefore, it is crucial to understand that a high average IQ in a country does not necessarily indicate the intelligence of all its citizens.
Countries that consistently score high in cognitive ability have successfully developed robust educational systems, prioritized research and development, and implemented efficient policies. As a result, their populations have exhibited high average IQs over time. In 2024, CEOWORLD magazine published a research study revealing that almost two-thirds of people worldwide believe they are smarter than the average person.
According to research, Japan has the highest average IQ, 106.48. It is believed that this high average IQ is the result of several factors, such as Japan’s strict educational system, significant investments in research and development, and efficient policies, especially in the field of education and technology. On the other hand, Nepal, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guatemala, Cape Verde, Gambia, Nicaragua, Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Ghana are the countries with the lowest average IQ. Among these countries, Nepal has the lowest average IQ score of 42.99. IQ tests can be a controversial measure of intelligence. However, despite controversy, IQ remains a popular measure of intelligence.
Countries with the Highest Average IQ, 2024
| Rank | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japan | 106.48 |
| 2 | Taiwan | 106.47 |
| 3 | Singapore | 105.89 |
| 4 | Hong Kong | 105.37 |
| 5 | China | 104.1 |
| 6 | South Korea | 102.35 |
| 7 | Belarus | 101.6 |
| 8 | Finland | 101.2 |
| 9 | Liechtenstein | 101.07 |
| 10 | Germany | 100.74 |
| 11 | Netherlands | 100.74 |
| 12 | Estonia | 100.72 |
| 13 | Luxembourg | 99.87 |
| 14 | Macau | 99.82 |
| 15 | Cambodia | 99.75 |
| 16 | Canada | 99.52 |
| 17 | Australia | 99.24 |
| 18 | Hungary | 99.24 |
| 19 | Switzerland | 99.24 |
| 20 | United Kingdom | 99.12 |
| 21 | Greenland | 98.89 |
| 22 | North Korea | 98.82 |
| 23 | Slovenia | 98.6 |
| 24 | New Zealand | 98.57 |
| 25 | Austria | 98.38 |
| 26 | Iceland | 98.26 |
| 27 | Denmark | 97.83 |
| 28 | Belgium | 97.49 |
| 29 | United States | 97.43 |
| 30 | Norway | 97.13 |
| 31 | Sweden | 97 |
| 32 | France | 96.69 |
| 33 | Poland | 96.35 |
| 34 | Slovakia | 96.32 |
| 35 | Russia | 96.29 |
| 36 | Lithuania | 95.89 |
| 37 | Croatia | 95.75 |
| 38 | Andorra | 95.2 |
| 39 | Ireland | 95.13 |
| 40 | Czech Republic | 94.92 |
| 41 | Latvia | 94.79 |
| 42 | Italy | 94.23 |
| 43 | Vanuatu | 93.92 |
| 44 | New Caledonia | 93.92 |
| 45 | Spain | 93.9 |
| 46 | Bermuda | 93.48 |
| 47 | Cyprus | 93.39 |
| 48 | Portugal | 92.77 |
| 49 | Israel | 92.43 |
| 50 | Barbados | 91.6 |
| 51 | Malta | 91.27 |
| 52 | Myanmar | 91.18 |
| 53 | Mongolia | 91.03 |
| 54 | Bulgaria | 90.99 |
| 55 | Greece | 90.77 |
| 56 | Suriname | 90.29 |
| 57 | Ukraine | 90.07 |
| 58 | Moldova | 89.98 |
| 59 | Serbia | 89.6 |
| 60 | Vietnam | 89.53 |
| 61 | Iraq | 89.28 |
| 62 | Uzbekistan | 89.01 |
| 63 | Kazakhstan | 88.89 |
| 64 | Thailand | 88.87 |
| 65 | Armenia | 88.82 |
| 66 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 88.54 |
| 67 | Costa Rica | 88.34 |
| 68 | Bhutan | 87.94 |
| 69 | Chile | 87.89 |
| 70 | Mexico | 87.73 |
| 71 | Tajikistan | 87.71 |
| 72 | Uruguay | 87.59 |
| 73 | Malaysia | 87.58 |
| 74 | Brunei | 87.58 |
| 75 | Bahamas | 86.99 |
| 76 | Romania | 86.88 |
| 77 | Turkey | 86.8 |
| 78 | Argentina | 86.63 |
| 79 | Sri Lanka | 86.62 |
| 80 | Mauritius | 86.56 |
| 81 | Turkmenistan | 85.86 |
| 82 | Montenegro | 85.78 |
| 83 | Trinidad and Tobago | 85.63 |
| 84 | Azerbaijan | 84.81 |
| 85 | Georgia | 84.5 |
| 86 | Turks and Caicos Islands | 84.29 |
| 87 | Paraguay | 84.04 |
| 88 | Fiji | 83.96 |
| 89 | Solomon Islands | 83.96 |
| 90 | Samoa | 83.96 |
| 91 | Kiribati | 83.96 |
| 92 | Micronesia | 83.96 |
| 93 | Tonga | 83.96 |
| 94 | Marshall Islands | 83.96 |
| 95 | Cook Islands | 83.96 |
| 96 | Cuba | 83.9 |
| 97 | Bahrain | 83.6 |
| 98 | Brazil | 83.38 |
| 99 | Guyana | 83.23 |
| 100 | Colombia | 83.13 |
| 101 | Venezuela | 82.99 |
| 102 | Cayman Islands | 82.24 |
| 103 | Afghanistan | 82.12 |
| 104 | Haiti | 82.1 |
| 105 | Dominican Republic | 82.05 |
| 106 | United Arab Emirates | 82.05 |
| 107 | Puerto Rico | 81.99 |
| 108 | North Macedonia | 81.91 |
| 109 | Albania | 81.75 |
| 110 | Lebanon | 81.7 |
| 111 | Philippines | 81.64 |
| 112 | Peru | 81.44 |
| 113 | Northern Mariana Islands | 81.36 |
| 114 | Laos | 80.99 |
| 115 | Libya | 80.92 |
| 116 | Qatar | 80.78 |
| 117 | Jordan | 80.7 |
| 118 | Maldives | 80.54 |
| 119 | Iran | 80.01 |
| 120 | Pakistan | 80 |
| 121 | Grenada | 79.34 |
| 122 | Tunisia | 79.22 |
| 123 | Kyrgyzstan | 79.09 |
| 124 | Panama | 79 |
| 125 | Sudan | 78.87 |
| 126 | Chad | 78.87 |
| 127 | Seychelles | 78.76 |
| 128 | Oman | 78.7 |
| 129 | Kuwait | 78.64 |
| 130 | Indonesia | 78.49 |
| 131 | Papua New Guinea | 78.49 |
| 132 | Timor Leste | 78.49 |
| 133 | Ecuador | 78.26 |
| 134 | Palestine | 77.69 |
| 135 | Senegal | 77.37 |
| 136 | Comoros | 77.07 |
| 137 | Madagascar | 76.79 |
| 138 | British Virgin Islands | 76.69 |
| 139 | Bolivia | 76.53 |
| 140 | Uganda | 76.42 |
| 141 | Saudi Arabia | 76.36 |
| 142 | Egypt | 76.32 |
| 143 | India | 76.24 |
| 144 | Algeria | 76 |
| 145 | Kenya | 75.2 |
| 146 | Angola | 75.1 |
| 147 | Jamaica | 75.08 |
| 148 | Tanzania | 74.95 |
| 149 | Syria | 74.41 |
| 150 | Bangladesh | 74.33 |
| 151 | Zimbabwe | 74.01 |
| 152 | Burkina Faso | 73.8 |
| 153 | Saint Lucia | 73.68 |
| 154 | Mozambique | 72.5 |
| 155 | Burundi | 72.09 |
| 156 | Niger | 70.82 |
| 157 | Antigua and Barbuda | 70.48 |
| 158 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 70.48 |
| 159 | Rwanda | 69.95 |
| 160 | Benin | 69.71 |
| 161 | Malawi | 69.7 |
| 162 | El Salvador | 69.63 |
| 163 | Botswana | 69.45 |
| 164 | South Africa | 68.87 |
| 165 | Lesotho | 68.87 |
| 166 | Eswatini | 68.87 |
| 167 | Eritrea | 68.77 |
| 168 | Zambia | 68.43 |
| 169 | Ethiopia | 68.42 |
| 170 | Djibouti | 68.41 |
| 171 | Nigeria | 67.76 |
| 172 | Cameroon | 67.76 |
| 173 | Somalia | 67.67 |
| 174 | Morocco | 67.03 |
| 175 | Namibia | 66.19 |
| 176 | Dominica | 66.03 |
| 177 | Sao Tome and Principe | 65.22 |
| 178 | DR Congo | 64.92 |
| 179 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 63.42 |
| 180 | Republic of the Congo | 62.97 |
| 181 | Gabon | 62.97 |
| 182 | Yemen | 62.86 |
| 183 | Central African Republic | 62.55 |
| 184 | Belize | 62.55 |
| 185 | Honduras | 62.16 |
| 186 | Togo | 59.83 |
| 187 | Mali | 59.76 |
| 188 | Mauritania | 59.76 |
| 189 | South Sudan | 58.61 |
| 190 | Ghana | 58.16 |
| 191 | Ivory Coast | 58.16 |
| 192 | Guinea | 53.48 |
| 193 | Nicaragua | 52.69 |
| 194 | Gambia | 52.68 |
| 195 | Cape Verde | 52.5 |
| 196 | Guatemala | 47.72 |
| 197 | Sierra Leone | 45.07 |
| 198 | Liberia | 45.07 |
| 199 | Nepal | 42.99 |
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