Average IQ in North Korea: Estimates & Context
Estimated Avg IQ
~104
Rank in This Dataset
#106
of 125 countries covered
Region
East 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 North Korea 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 North Korea'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 North Korea
North Korea maintains a compulsory 12-year education system and officially claims near-universal literacy. The curriculum is heavily ideological, centered on political indoctrination alongside mathematics and sciences. Despite international isolation and severe economic hardship, the country has maintained a functioning school system with high enrollment rates. However, malnutrition — particularly severe during the 1990s famine — has affected cognitive development for entire generations. External data is extremely limited; IQ estimates are extrapolated from South Korean data and defector studies, suggesting scores close to South Korea's but lower due to nutritional deficits.
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.
North Korea Compared to East Asia
East Asia IQ Comparison
Here is how North Korea compares to other countries in East Asia that are included in our database:
| Country | Average IQ | Global Rank |
|---|---|---|
| North Korea | 104 | #106 |
| Japan | 106 | #1 |
| South Korea | 106 | #2 |
| China | 105 | #3 |
| Taiwan | 104 | #4 |
| Singapore | 108 | #5 |
Countries with Similar Rankings
These countries have similar average IQ scores and global rankings to North Korea:
| Country | Average IQ | Global Rank | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sudan | 71 | #96 | Africa |
| Somalia | 68 | #97 | Africa |
| Libya | 83 | #98 | Africa |
| Zimbabwe | 72 | #99 | Africa |
| Mozambique | 69 | #100 | 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 104 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 North Korea?
North Korea's average IQ is estimated at approximately 104, ranking #106 globally. This estimate is extrapolated from limited data, including defector studies and comparisons with South Korea, and should be treated with significant caution due to data scarcity.
Why might North Korea have a relatively high IQ estimate?
North Korea shares East Asian cultural and genetic background with South Korea and China, which strongly predict higher average IQ scores. The country maintains a compulsory 12-year education system. However, severe malnutrition during the 1990s famine and ongoing food insecurity are believed to have significantly reduced scores below the genetic and educational potential.
How does North Korea compare to South Korea?
North Korea (estimated 104) scores below South Korea (106). Both share Korean cultural heritage and compulsory education systems, but South Korea's access to adequate nutrition, modern educational resources, and international exchange has allowed it to fully realize its cognitive potential, while North Korea's chronic food insecurity and isolation constrain outcomes.
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.