Average IQ in Haiti: Score, Ranking & Analysis
Average IQ
67
Global Ranking
#116
out of ~199 countries
Region
Caribbean
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 Haiti
Haiti is the Western Hemisphere's poorest country and has one of its weakest education systems. About 80% of schools are private (including many low-quality community schools), creating massive inequality in access and quality. The 2010 earthquake destroyed approximately 4,000 schools, severely setting back educational development. Adult literacy stands at around 62%, with high dropout rates at all levels. French is the official language of instruction, but 95% of Haitians speak Haitian Creole as their first language, creating an immediate barrier. Malnutrition is widespread. Chronic political instability, gang violence, and natural disasters repeatedly disrupt schooling.
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.
Haiti Compared to Caribbean
Caribbean IQ Comparison
Here is how Haiti compares to other countries in Caribbean that are included in our database:
| Country | Average IQ | Global Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Haiti | 67 | #116 |
| Cuba | 85 | #94 |
| Jamaica | 71 | #95 |
| Dominican Republic | 82 | #117 |
Countries with Similar Rankings
These countries have similar average IQ scores and global rankings to Haiti:
| Country | Average IQ | Global Rank | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 87 | #106 | North America |
| North Korea | 104 | #106 | East Asia |
| Uzbekistan | 87 | #107 | Central Asia |
| Turkmenistan | 87 | #108 | Central Asia |
| Kyrgyzstan | 75 | #109 | Central Asia |
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 67 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 Haiti?
Haiti's average IQ is estimated at 67, ranking #116 globally. Haiti is the Western Hemisphere's least developed nation, with an education system severely constrained by poverty, natural disasters, and political instability.
Why does Haiti have such a low average IQ?
Haiti's score reflects extreme poverty, French-medium instruction inaccessible to the 95% of Haitians who speak Haitian Creole at home, mass destruction of school infrastructure in the 2010 earthquake, widespread malnutrition affecting cognitive development, an 80% private school sector with extreme quality variation, and repeated disruption from political instability, gang violence, and natural disasters.
How does Haiti compare to the Dominican Republic?
Haiti (67) scores significantly below the Dominican Republic (82). The two nations share the island of Hispaniola but have dramatically different development trajectories. The Dominican Republic has invested more consistently in education, has higher income levels, uses Spanish with broader literacy, and has avoided Haiti's compounding crises, resulting in a 15-point average IQ gap.
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.