Average IQ in Papua New Guinea: Score, Ranking & Analysis
Average IQ
83
Global Ranking
#111
out of ~199 countries
Region
Oceania
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 Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea has extreme linguistic diversity — over 800 languages — which creates significant challenges for a standardized education system. English is the official medium of instruction but is spoken as a first language by very few. Primary enrollment has expanded, but secondary school completion rates are very low. The country faces significant geographic challenges delivering education to remote highland and island communities. Teacher quality is inconsistent, many schools lack basic supplies, and cultural factors including gender inequality in some regions limit girls' education. Adult literacy stands at around 64%.
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.
Papua New Guinea Compared to Oceania
Oceania IQ Comparison
Here is how Papua New Guinea compares to other countries in Oceania that are included in our database:
| Country | Average IQ | Global Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Papua New Guinea | 83 | #111 |
| Australia | 99 | #23 |
| New Zealand | 99 | #27 |
| Fiji | 84 | #112 |
Countries with Similar Rankings
These countries have similar average IQ scores and global rankings to Papua New Guinea:
| Country | Average IQ | Global Rank | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madagascar | 69 | #101 | Africa |
| Mali | 69 | #102 | Africa |
| Niger | 69 | #103 | Africa |
| Chad | 68 | #104 | Africa |
| Brazil | 87 | #105 | South America |
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 83 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 Papua New Guinea?
Papua New Guinea's average IQ is estimated at 83, ranking #111 globally. The country faces unique challenges combining extreme linguistic diversity, remote geography, and limited education resources.
Why does Papua New Guinea score 83 on average IQ?
Papua New Guinea's score reflects the enormous challenge of delivering education across 800+ languages and extremely remote mountainous and island terrain, English-medium instruction inaccessible to most students, low secondary school completion, inconsistent teacher quality, limited school supplies, and gender inequality limiting female education in many regions.
How does Papua New Guinea compare to Fiji?
Papua New Guinea (83) scores similarly to Fiji (84). Fiji has a smaller, more manageable population with better infrastructure and a longer history of accessible English-medium schooling. Papua New Guinea's linguistic fragmentation and geographic isolation create substantially more complex educational delivery challenges despite similar average scores.
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.