Average IQ in Pakistan: Score, Ranking & Analysis

Education System in Pakistan

Pakistan faces significant educational challenges, with an estimated 22 million children out of school — the second-highest number globally. There are large gender disparities, particularly in rural areas where girls' enrollment drops sharply after primary school. The country has a parallel system of government schools, private schools, and madrassas (religious schools) with varying quality. Pakistan's literacy rate of about 58% is among the lowest in Asia, though urban areas and younger generations show improvement.

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.

Pakistan Compared to South Asia

Here is how Pakistan compares to other countries in South Asia that are included in our database:

Countries with Similar Rankings

These countries have similar average IQ scores and global rankings to Pakistan:

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 84 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.

Historical Context: IQ Trends in Pakistan

Pakistan's cognitive development faces structural challenges that have constrained improvement over decades. At partition in 1947, literacy was under 20% and the country has struggled to raise it consistently. Military governments periodically disrupted educational continuity, and the 1971 East Pakistan secession war caused massive displacement. Islamization policies under General Zia ul-Haq (1977–88) shifted curriculum emphasis toward religious education, reducing STEM content in the national framework. Childhood malnutrition — Pakistan has one of the world's highest stunting rates (~40% of children under 5) — severely constrains cognitive development for large portions of the population, creating a biological ceiling that educational investment alone cannot overcome. Urban-rural and gender gaps in educational access are among South Asia's largest.

Education System Deep Dive

Pakistan's education system is fragmented across provincial governments, federal territories, private schools, and a large parallel system of madrasas (Islamic schools) educating an estimated 2.5 million students in primarily religious curriculum. Pakistan scored 353 in PISA 2022 mathematics (through PISA-for-Development assessments of selected provinces) — among the lowest in all participating regions. The matric examination at grade 10 and FSc/FA at grade 12 determine university admissions. Pakistan has over 200 chartered universities, with the University of the Punjab, NUST, and Aga Khan University among the better institutions. UNESCO estimates that approximately 22.8 million Pakistani children are out of school — the world's second highest out-of-school rate. The Gender Parity Index in secondary education reflects significant female enrollment disadvantage outside urban centers.

Cognitive Achievements and Scientific Output

Pakistan has produced Abdus Salam (Nobel Prize in Physics, 1979, for electroweak unification theory — one of the most important results in 20th-century physics), the only Pakistani Nobel laureate and the first Muslim Nobel Prize winner in a science. Pakistani mathematician Muhammad Raziuddin Siddiqi made contributions to mathematical physics. Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy is internationally recognized as a physicist and science communicator. Pakistani engineers have contributed significantly to nuclear and missile programs. The country produces competitive science students through elite institutions like Aitchison College and the National University of Sciences and Technology. Agricultural research institutions have contributed to improved wheat and rice varieties feeding South Asia.

Frequently Asked Questions

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