Average IQ by Country: The Complete Global Ranking

    The table below presents estimated average IQ scores for 50 countries, ranked by global position. These estimates are compiled from published research studies and should be interpreted with important caveats about methodology and the many factors that influence national averages.

    Methodology note: National IQ estimates are derived from meta-analyses of cognitive ability studies conducted across different time periods, populations, and testing conditions. These figures are influenced by access to education, healthcare, nutrition, socioeconomic development, and sample representativeness. They reflect population-level trends and do not predict or reflect the intelligence of any individual. For more on how IQ is measured, see our complete guide to IQ.

    Rank ↑Country Avg IQ Region
    #1Japan106East Asia
    #2South Korea106East Asia
    #3China105East Asia
    #4Taiwan104East Asia
    #5Singapore108East Asia
    #6Hong Kong108East Asia
    #10Netherlands101Europe
    #11Switzerland101Europe
    #12Finland101Europe
    #15Germany100Europe
    #16United Kingdom100Europe
    #17Ireland100Europe
    #18Austria100Europe
    #19Belgium100Europe
    #22Canada99North America
    #23Australia99Oceania
    #24Sweden99Europe
    #25Norway99Europe
    #26Poland99Europe
    #27New Zealand99Oceania
    #28France98Europe
    #29United States98North America
    #29Czech Republic99Europe
    #30Hungary99Europe
    #32Italy97Europe
    #33Spain97Europe
    #34Russia97Europe
    #45Israel95Middle East
    #46Portugal95Europe
    #50Vietnam94Southeast Asia
    #55Argentina93South America
    #60Greece92Europe
    #68Thailand91Southeast Asia
    #75Turkey90Middle East
    #85Colombia89South America
    #105Brazil87South America
    #106Mexico87North America
    #111Philippines86Southeast Asia
    #112UAE86Middle East
    #130Indonesia84Southeast Asia
    #131Iran84Middle East
    #132Pakistan84South Asia
    #133Saudi Arabia84Middle East
    #135Egypt83Africa
    #143India82South Asia
    #155Kenya80Africa
    #170Nigeria77Africa
    #171South Africa77Africa
    #180Ghana73Africa
    #190Ethiopia69Africa

    Showing 50 of 50 countries. Click column headers to sort.

    What Drives National IQ Differences?

    Research consistently shows that environmental factors play a major role in national IQ averages. Key factors include education quality and access, childhood nutrition, healthcare availability, socioeconomic development, and urbanization rates. The Flynn Effect — the well-documented rise in IQ scores over time — demonstrates that as these conditions improve, populations tend to score higher on cognitive tests.

    Many countries with currently lower average scores are experiencing rapid improvements in education and economic development, which research suggests will be reflected in rising cognitive test scores over time. This makes cross-country IQ comparisons a snapshot of current conditions rather than a fixed attribute.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which country has the highest average IQ?

    Singapore and Hong Kong are often reported with the highest average IQ scores at around 108, followed closely by Japan and South Korea at 106. However, these rankings vary depending on the study and methodology used.

    What is the average IQ worldwide?

    The global average IQ is approximately 100, as IQ tests are normed to produce a mean score of 100 in the populations where they are standardized. When comparing across countries using different testing conditions, averages range from approximately 69 to 108.

    Why do average IQ scores differ between countries?

    Differences in national average IQ scores are primarily influenced by environmental factors including quality of education, access to healthcare and nutrition, socioeconomic development, urbanization, and testing conditions. The Flynn Effect shows that as these factors improve, IQ scores tend to rise.

    Learn more about what IQ means, explore IQ score ranges, or take our free IQ test.

    Think you can score higher? Take the free IQ test

    30 questions. 15 minutes. Instant results. No sign-up required.

    Start Free IQ Test