Average IQ in Sudan: Score, Ranking & Analysis
Average IQ
71
Global Ranking
#96
out of ~199 countries
Region
Africa
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 Sudan
Sudan's education system has been severely disrupted by decades of civil war, political instability, and the secession of South Sudan in 2011. The country has low enrollment rates, especially for girls, and significant regional disparities between Khartoum and rural areas. Chronic underfunding, a shortage of trained teachers, and ongoing conflicts have prevented sustained educational development. Arabic is the medium of instruction, and the curriculum has undergone multiple ideological shifts that disrupted continuity. Adult literacy stands at around 60%, with sharp gender and urban-rural divides.
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.
Sudan Compared to Africa
Africa IQ Comparison
Here is how Sudan compares to other countries in Africa that are included in our database:
| Country | Average IQ | Global Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Sudan | 71 | #96 |
| Morocco | 84 | #80 |
| Algeria | 84 | #81 |
| Tunisia | 83 | #82 |
| Tanzania | 72 | #83 |
| Uganda | 73 | #84 |
Countries with Similar Rankings
These countries have similar average IQ scores and global rankings to Sudan:
| Country | Average IQ | Global Rank | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senegal | 74 | #86 | Africa |
| Cameroon | 70 | #87 | Africa |
| Zambia | 71 | #88 | Africa |
| Bolivia | 87 | #89 | South America |
| Ecuador | 89 | #90 | 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 71 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 Sudan?
Sudan's average IQ is estimated at 71, ranking #96 globally. Decades of conflict, underfunding, and political instability have severely constrained the country's educational development and cognitive outcomes.
Why does Sudan have a low average IQ?
Sudan's score reflects persistent conflict disrupting schooling, chronic underfunding of education, low teacher quality, high dropout rates (particularly for girls), poor nutrition and healthcare in large parts of the country, and ongoing political instability that has prevented sustained investment in human capital.
How does Sudan compare to Egypt?
Sudan (71) scores below Egypt (81). Both share Arabic language and cultural ties, but Egypt has had a far more stable environment for educational investment, better-resourced schools, and a longer tradition of formal education, resulting in significantly stronger average cognitive 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
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.