Average IQ in Turkey: Score, Ranking & Analysis
Average IQ
90
Global Ranking
#75
out of ~199 countries
Region
Middle East
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 Turkey
Turkey has dramatically expanded educational access over the past two decades, with compulsory education extended to 12 years in 2012. The country has built thousands of new schools and significantly increased university enrollment. However, a stark east-west divide persists, with eastern provinces having lower educational outcomes. Turkey's PISA scores have improved but remain below the OECD average. The dershane (private tutoring) system plays a significant role in exam preparation.
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.
Turkey Compared to Middle East
Here is how Turkey compares to other countries in Middle East that are included in our database:
| Country | Average IQ | Global Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | 90 | #75 |
| Israel | 95 | #45 |
| UAE | 86 | #112 |
| Iran | 84 | #131 |
| Saudi Arabia | 84 | #133 |
Countries with Similar Rankings
These countries have similar average IQ scores and global rankings to Turkey:
| Country | Average IQ | Global Rank | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | 91 | #68 | Southeast Asia |
| Colombia | 89 | #85 | 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 90 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 Turkey?
Turkey's average IQ is estimated at 90, ranking #75 globally. This score reflects rapid educational expansion in a country that has significantly increased school enrollment and university access in recent decades.
How has Turkey's education system changed recently?
Turkey extended compulsory education to 12 years in 2012, built thousands of new schools, and dramatically increased university enrollment. These investments are expected to raise cognitive test scores over time as younger generations benefit fully from improved access.
How does Turkey compare to Greece?
Turkey (90) scores below Greece (92). Despite Turkey's larger economy, Greece benefits from stronger Western European educational traditions and higher historical rates of tertiary education, though Turkey is closing the gap through massive education investment.
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.