Average IQ by Country: Estimated Rankings & Caveats

The table below presents estimated average IQ scores for 50 countries, ranked by global position. These estimates are compiled from published research studies and should be interpreted with important caveats about methodology and the many factors that influence national averages.

Methodology note: National IQ estimates are derived from compiled cross-national datasets — principally the compilations begun by Lynn and Vanhanen and later successors, plus estimates based on international assessments like PISA and TIMSS. These compilations are contested in the academic literature: many country figures rest on small or unrepresentative samples, mixed tests and eras, or extrapolation from neighboring countries, and different datasets can shift scores and ranks by several points. The figures are also heavily influenced by access to education, healthcare, nutrition, and socioeconomic development. They reflect measured test performance under specific conditions — not the innate ability of any population, and never the intelligence of any individual. For more on how IQ is measured, see our complete guide to IQ.

Rank ↑	Country	Avg IQ	Region
#1	Japan	106	East Asia
#2	South Korea	106	East Asia
#3	China	105	East Asia
#4	Taiwan	104	East Asia
#5	Singapore	108	East Asia
#6	Hong Kong	108	East Asia
#10	Netherlands	101	Europe
#11	Switzerland	101	Europe
#12	Finland	101	Europe
#15	Germany	100	Europe
#16	United Kingdom	100	Europe
#17	Ireland	100	Europe
#18	Austria	100	Europe
#19	Belgium	100	Europe
#22	Canada	99	North America
#23	Australia	99	Oceania
#24	Sweden	99	Europe
#25	Norway	99	Europe
#26	Poland	99	Europe
#27	New Zealand	99	Oceania
#28	France	98	Europe
#29	United States	98	North America
#29	Czech Republic	99	Europe
#30	Hungary	99	Europe
#32	Italy	97	Europe
#33	Spain	97	Europe
#34	Russia	97	Europe
#45	Israel	95	Middle East
#46	Portugal	95	Europe
#50	Vietnam	94	Southeast Asia
#55	Argentina	93	South America
#60	Greece	92	Europe
#68	Thailand	91	Southeast Asia
#75	Turkey	90	Middle East
#85	Colombia	89	South America
#105	Brazil	87	South America
#106	Mexico	87	North America
#111	Philippines	86	Southeast Asia
#112	UAE	86	Middle East
#130	Indonesia	84	Southeast Asia
#131	Iran	84	Middle East
#132	Pakistan	84	South Asia
#133	Saudi Arabia	84	Middle East
#135	Egypt	83	Africa
#143	India	82	South Asia
#155	Kenya	80	Africa
#170	Nigeria	77	Africa
#171	South Africa	77	Africa
#180	Ghana	73	Africa
#190	Ethiopia	69	Africa

Showing 50 of 50 countries. Click column headers to sort.

What Drives National IQ Differences?

Research consistently shows that environmental factors play a major role in national IQ averages. Key factors include education quality and access, childhood nutrition, healthcare availability, socioeconomic development, and urbanization rates. The Flynn Effect — the well-documented rise in IQ scores over time — demonstrates that as these conditions improve, populations tend to score higher on cognitive tests.

Many countries with currently lower average scores are experiencing rapid improvements in education and economic development, which research suggests will be reflected in rising cognitive test scores over time. This makes cross-country IQ comparisons a snapshot of current conditions rather than a fixed attribute.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which country has the highest average IQ?

Singapore and Hong Kong are often reported with the highest average IQ scores at around 108, followed closely by Japan and South Korea at 106. However, these rankings vary depending on the study and methodology used.

What is the average IQ worldwide?

The global average IQ is approximately 100, as IQ tests are normed to produce a mean score of 100 in the populations where they are standardized. When comparing across countries using different testing conditions, averages range from approximately 69 to 108.

Why do average IQ scores differ between countries?

Differences in national average IQ scores are primarily influenced by environmental factors including quality of education, access to healthcare and nutrition, socioeconomic development, urbanization, and testing conditions. The Flynn Effect shows that as these factors improve, IQ scores tend to rise.

Learn more about what IQ means, explore IQ score ranges, or take our free IQ test.