Average IQ in Bolivia: Score, Ranking & Analysis
Average IQ
87
Global Ranking
#89
out of ~199 countries
Region
South America
Important note: National average IQ scores are estimates based on limited sample sizes and vary across studies. These figures are heavily influenced by socioeconomic factors, access to quality education, healthcare, nutrition, and testing conditions. They do not reflect the intelligence or potential of any individual from that country. IQ scores measure specific cognitive skills and should be interpreted within their proper scientific context.
Education System in Bolivia
Bolivia has undertaken significant education reforms, particularly the 2010 Avelino Siñani-Elizardo Pérez law that promoted multilingual intercultural education incorporating Indigenous languages alongside Spanish. The country has expanded school enrollment and reduced illiteracy substantially over the past two decades. Bolivia performs below regional peers on international assessments, reflecting challenges including high rates of poverty, geographic barriers from the Andes and Amazon regions, and historical underinvestment in Indigenous communities' education.
To understand what IQ scores measure and how they're calculated, see our guide on what IQ is. For a breakdown of what different score levels mean, visit our IQ score ranges page.
Bolivia Compared to South America
South America IQ Comparison
Here is how Bolivia compares to other countries in South America that are included in our database:
| Country | Average IQ | Global Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Bolivia | 87 | #89 |
| Argentina | 93 | #55 |
| Colombia | 89 | #85 |
| Ecuador | 89 | #90 |
| Peru | 85 | #91 |
| Chile | 90 | #92 |
Countries with Similar Rankings
These countries have similar average IQ scores and global rankings to Bolivia:
| Country | Average IQ | Global Rank | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oman | 84 | #79 | Middle East |
| Morocco | 84 | #80 | Africa |
| Algeria | 84 | #81 | Africa |
| Tunisia | 83 | #82 | Africa |
| Tanzania | 72 | #83 | Africa |
Understanding IQ Distribution
It's crucial to remember that national averages represent the middle of a wide distribution. Within every country, individual IQ scores span the full range from below 70 to above 130 and beyond. A country with an average IQ of 87 will have many individuals scoring well above and below that number. Factors like socioeconomic status, nutrition, education quality, and access to healthcare play significant roles in cognitive development and test performance.
The Flynn Effect — the observation that IQ scores have risen substantially over time in many countries — suggests that environmental improvements like better nutrition, healthcare, and education access can significantly impact cognitive test performance at the population level. Many developing nations are experiencing rapid improvements in these areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average IQ in Bolivia?
Bolivia's average IQ is estimated at 87, ranking #89 globally. The country has made progress in education access and indigenous language inclusion, though quality challenges persist.
Why does Bolivia score 87 on average IQ?
Bolivia's score reflects significant improvements in literacy and enrollment alongside ongoing challenges: geographic barriers in the Andes and Amazon, historical underfunding of Indigenous community schools, high poverty rates, and the complexity of implementing effective multilingual education across many Indigenous languages.
How does Bolivia compare to Peru?
Bolivia (87) scores similarly to Peru (85). Both Andean countries have large Indigenous populations and have undertaken intercultural bilingual education reforms. Peru's slightly lower score reflects its greater complexity in managing diverse regional education needs across a larger territory.
Explore More Countries
See the full list of all countries on our Average IQ by Country page, or take our free IQ test to see how you compare.
MyIQScores Editorial Team
Researchers in cognitive psychology, psychometrics & educational science
Last updated
May 10, 2026
All content on MyIQScores is reviewed for scientific accuracy against peer-reviewed research in cognitive psychology and psychometrics. Our editorial team cross-references each article with published literature before publication and updates pages whenever new research warrants a revision.