Average IQ in Timor-Leste: Score, Ranking & Analysis
Average IQ
85
Global Ranking
#113
out of ~199 countries
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.
Education System in Timor-Leste
Timor-Leste (East Timor) became independent in 2002 after a 24-year Indonesian occupation and a devastating 1999 independence referendum that resulted in widespread destruction of infrastructure, including schools. The country has had to build its education system largely from scratch, with significant support from international donors. Portuguese was established as the official medium of instruction, though it was not widely spoken, creating immediate language barriers. Progress has been made in expanding enrollment, but educational quality remains low, teacher quality is inconsistent, and the country faces high dropout rates. Oil revenues have funded some education investment, but resource management challenges persist.
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.
Timor-Leste Compared to Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia IQ Comparison
Here is how Timor-Leste compares to other countries in Southeast Asia that are included in our database:
| Country | Average IQ | Global Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Timor-Leste | 85 | #113 |
| 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 Timor-Leste:
| Country | Average IQ | Global Rank | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Niger | 69 | #103 | Africa |
| Chad | 68 | #104 | Africa |
| Brazil | 87 | #105 | South America |
| Angola | 68 | #105 | Africa |
| Mexico | 87 | #106 | North 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 85 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 Timor-Leste?
Timor-Leste's average IQ is estimated at 85, ranking #113 globally. As one of the world's newest nations, Timor-Leste has had to build its education system from near-scratch following independence in 2002.
Why does Timor-Leste score 85 on average IQ?
Timor-Leste's score reflects the enormous challenge of building a functional education system following the destruction of the 1999 post-referendum violence, Portuguese-medium instruction inaccessible to most families, severe teacher shortages, high dropout rates, widespread poverty, and the difficulty of consolidating educational gains in a very young nation still developing governance capacity.
How does Timor-Leste compare to Indonesia?
Timor-Leste (85) scores similarly to Indonesia (87). Despite the obvious scale difference, both countries face language diversity challenges in education. Indonesia's longer post-independence development and Bahasa Indonesia as a unifying language have enabled somewhat more consistent educational progress than Timor-Leste's challenging Portuguese-medium post-independence reconstruction.
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.