Average IQ in Laos: Estimates & Context
Estimated Avg IQ
~89
Rank in This Dataset
#114
of 125 countries covered
Region
Southeast Asia
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.
Where These Numbers Come From — and Why They're Debated
There is no official global IQ census. National IQ figures like the one above come from compiled cross-national datasets — most famously the compilations begun by Richard Lynn and Tatu Vanhanen (IQ and the Wealth of Nations, 2002) and successor datasets, alongside alternative estimates derived from international student assessments such as PISA and TIMSS. These compilations are heavily debated in the academic literature: critics have documented small and unrepresentative samples for many countries, scores extrapolated from neighboring nations, mixing of different tests and decades, and translation and cultural-fit problems. Different datasets can shift a country's estimate — and its rank — by several points.
For these reasons, the figure for Laos should be read as a rough estimate of average performance on Western-style cognitive tests under the conditions in which the underlying samples were collected — not as a measure of the innate ability or potential of Laos's people. Population-level test averages track education access, childhood nutrition, health, and economic development, and they change as those conditions change (see the Flynn Effect below).
Education System in Laos
Laos has made significant progress in expanding primary education since the 1990s, with enrollment rates rising substantially. The country uses Lao as the primary medium of instruction, which is accessible to the majority Lao-Loum population but challenges the many ethnic minority students (about 35% of the population) who speak different languages. Secondary school completion rates remain low, and quality is limited by teacher shortages and under-resourced schools. Laos is one of Southeast Asia's poorest countries, and its landlocked geography limits economic development that would fund education. The country has received significant international support for education reform.
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.
Laos Compared to Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia IQ Comparison
Here is how Laos compares to other countries in Southeast Asia that are included in our database:
| Country | Average IQ | Global Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Laos | 89 | #114 |
| Vietnam | 94 | #50 |
| Thailand | 91 | #68 |
| Myanmar | 87 | #72 |
| Cambodia | 91 | #73 |
| Philippines | 86 | #111 |
Countries with Similar Rankings
These countries have similar average IQ scores and global rankings to Laos:
| Country | Average IQ | Global Rank | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chad | 68 | #104 | Africa |
| Brazil | 87 | #105 | South America |
| Angola | 68 | #105 | Africa |
| Mexico | 87 | #106 | North America |
| North Korea | 104 | #106 | East 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 89 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 Laos?
Laos's average IQ is estimated at 89, ranking #114 globally. The country has expanded primary enrollment significantly but faces challenges in educational quality and secondary completion rates.
Why does Laos score 89 on average IQ?
Laos's score reflects significant primary enrollment progress offset by low secondary completion rates, teacher shortages, under-resourced schools, and language barriers for the approximately 35% of students from ethnic minority groups whose home languages differ from Lao instruction. Landlocked geography and limited economic development constrain education funding.
How does Laos compare to Vietnam?
Laos (89) scores below Vietnam (96). Despite being neighboring Southeast Asian nations, Vietnam has invested far more intensively in education quality, maintains a highly competitive exam-driven system, and consistently performs well above its income level on international assessments. Laos's lower resource base and ethnic language diversity create significantly more educational challenges.
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
Editorial team focused on cognitive testing & psychometrics research
Last updated
May 10, 2026
MyIQScores content is written and maintained by our editorial team using published research in cognitive psychology and psychometrics as its source base. We label estimates as estimates, link primary sources where available, correct errors when readers flag them, and update pages as research or feedback warrants — see our corrections policy.