Introduction
It can be argued that some nations are dumber than others for a variety of reasons. Firstly, disparities in educational opportunities and access to quality instruction can lead to differences in knowledge and skills between countries. For example, those where the education system is underfunded or where there are limited resources may have lower test scores due to inadequate training and instruction. Additionally, cultural values in certain nations might discourage inquisitiveness and exploration which could contribute to an overall lower level of intelligence as well. Furthermore, different mental health philosophies around the world may also limit the potential for intellectual growth through proper diagnosis and treatment of cognitive disorders. Finally, poverty levels in certain parts of the world greatly impact access to higher learning opportunities such as college or advanced training courses, leading to an overall lower base level of knowledge compared to other countries with more resources available.
# | Country | Average IQ | Literacy Rate | Number of Nobel Prizes | Education Attainment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nepal | 42.99 | 64.66% | ||
2 | Liberia | 45.07 | 47.6% | 2 | |
3 | Sierra Leone | 45.07 | 48.43% | ||
4 | Guatemala | 47.72 | 79.07% | 2 | |
5 | The Gambia | 52.68 | |||
6 | Nicaragua | 52.69 | 82.47% | ||
7 | Guinea | 53.48 | 30.47% | ||
8 | Ghana | 58.16 | 76.58% | 1 | |
9 | Ivory Coast | 58.16 | 43.27% | ||
10 | South Sudan | 58.61 | 31.98% | ||
11 | Mali | 59.76 | 33.07% | 5.4% | |
12 | Mauritania | 59.76 | 52.12% | ||
13 | Togo | 59.83 | 66.54% | ||
14 | Honduras | 62.16 | 88.42% | ||
15 | Belize | 62.55 | 82.78% | 43.3% | |
16 | Central African Republic | 62.55 | 36.75% | ||
17 | Yemen | 62.86 | 69.96% | 1 | |
18 | Gabon | 62.97 | 83.24% | ||
19 | Republic of the Congo | 62.97 | 79.31% | ||
20 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 63.42 | 95.63% | ||
21 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 64.92 | 77.22% | ||
22 | São Tomé and Príncipe | 65.22 | 91.75% | ||
23 | Dominica | 66.03 | 94% | ||
24 | Namibia | 66.19 | 90.82% | ||
25 | Morocco | 67.03 | 71.71% | 1 | |
26 | Somalia | 67.67 | 37.8% | ||
27 | Cameroon | 67.76 | 74.99% | ||
28 | Nigeria | 67.76 | 59.57% | 1 | |
29 | Djibouti | 68.41 | 67.9% | ||
30 | Ethiopia | 68.42 | 49.03% | 1 | |
31 | Zambia | 68.43 | 85.12% | ||
32 | Saint Helena | 68.74 | 97% | ||
33 | Eritrea | 68.77 | 73.85% | ||
34 | Lesotho | 68.87 | 79.36% | ||
35 | South Africa | 68.87 | 94.6% | 11 | |
36 | Eswatini | 68.87 | 87.47% | ||
37 | Botswana | 69.45 | 88.22% | ||
38 | El Salvador | 69.63 | 87.65% | 33.6% | |
39 | Malawi | 69.7 | 65.96% | ||
40 | Benin | 69.71 | 38.45% | ||
41 | Rwanda | 69.95 | 71.24% | ||
42 | Antigua and Barbuda | 70.48 | 98.95% | ||
43 | Niger | 70.82 | 19.1% | ||
44 | Burundi | 72.09 | 85.5% | ||
45 | Mozambique | 72.5 | 58.84% | ||
46 | Saint Lucia | 73.68 | 90.1% | 2 | |
47 | Burkina Faso | 73.8 | 37.75% | ||
48 | Zimbabwe | 74.01 | 86.87% | ||
49 | Bangladesh | 74.33 | 61.49% | 2 | 36.8% |
50 | Syria | 74.41 | 86.3% | ||
51 | Tanzania | 74.95 | 80.36% | 1 | |
52 | Jamaica | 75.08 | 88.5% | ||
53 | Angola | 75.1 | 71.16% | ||
54 | Kenya | 75.2 | 78.02% | 1 | |
55 | Algeria | 76 | 79.61% | 2 | |
56 | India | 76.24 | 72.23% | 12 | |
57 | Egypt | 76.32 | 75.84% | 4 | |
58 | Saudi Arabia | 76.36 | 94.84% | 62.3% | |
59 | Uganda | 76.42 | 73.81% | ||
60 | Bolivia | 76.53 | 95.14% | 59.2% | |
61 | British Virgin Islands | 76.69 | 97.8% | ||
62 | Madagascar | 76.79 | 64.66% | ||
63 | Comoros | 77.07 | 78.14% | ||
64 | Senegal | 77.37 | 55.62% | ||
65 | Palestine | 77.69 | 96.67% | 1 | 45.9% |
66 | Ecuador | 78.26 | 94.52% | 43.4% | |
67 | East Timor | 78.49 | 64.07% | ||
68 | Indonesia | 78.49 | 95.44% | 38.1% | |
69 | Papua New Guinea | 78.49 | 63.43% | ||
70 | Kuwait | 78.64 | 96.12% | ||
71 | Oman | 78.7 | 93.97% | 62.2% | |
72 | Seychelles | 78.76 | 95.32% | ||
73 | Chad | 78.87 | 40.02% | ||
74 | Sudan | 78.87 | 58.6% | ||
75 | Panama | 79 | 95.04% | ||
76 | Kyrgyzstan | 79.09 | 99.5% | ||
77 | Tunisia | 79.22 | 81.05% | 1 | |
78 | Grenada | 79.34 | 96% | ||
79 | Pakistan | 80 | 56.44% | 2 | |
80 | Iran | 80.01 | 87.17% | 1 | |
81 | Maldives | 80.54 | 99.32% | ||
82 | Jordan | 80.7 | 98.01% | 50.2% | |
83 | Qatar | 80.78 | 97.76% | ||
84 | Libya | 80.92 | 91.39% | ||
85 | Laos | 80.99 | 79.87% | ||
86 | Northern Mariana Islands | 81.36 | 97% | ||
87 | Peru | 81.44 | 94.37% | 1 | |
88 | Philippines | 81.64 | 96.62% | 1 | |
89 | Lebanon | 81.7 | 94.05% | ||
90 | Albania | 81.75 | 97.55% | ||
91 | Republic of Macedonia | 81.91 | 97.84% | 68.3% | |
92 | Puerto Rico | 81.99 | 93.33% | ||
93 | Dominican Republic | 82.05 | 92.47% | ||
94 | United Arab Emirates | 82.05 | 92.99% | ||
95 | Haiti | 82.1 | 60.69% | ||
96 | Afghanistan | 82.12 | 38.17% | ||
97 | Cayman Islands | 82.24 | 98.87% | ||
98 | Venezuela | 82.99 | 95.4% | 1 | |
99 | Colombia | 83.13 | 94.58% | 2 | 53.2% |
100 | Guyana | 83.23 | 87.54% | ||
101 | Brazil | 83.38 | 92.59% | 1 | |
102 | Bahrain | 83.6 | 95.72% | 68.7% | |
103 | Cuba | 83.9 | 99.71% | ||
104 | Federated States of Micronesia | 83.96 | 89% | ||
105 | Fiji | 83.96 | 93.7% | ||
106 | Marshall Islands | 83.96 | 98.27% | ||
107 | Solomon Islands | 83.96 | 84.1% | ||
108 | Paraguay | 84.04 | 95.54% | 42.4% | |
109 | Turks and Caicos Islands | 84.29 | 98% | ||
110 | Georgia | 84.5 | 99.76% | ||
111 | Azerbaijan | 84.81 | 99.81% | 1 | |
112 | Trinidad and Tobago | 85.63 | 98.97% | 1 | |
113 | Montenegro | 85.78 | 98.72% | ||
114 | Turkmenistan | 85.86 | 99.69% | ||
115 | Mauritius | 86.56 | 90.62% | ||
116 | Sri Lanka | 86.62 | 92.61% | 64.8% | |
117 | Argentina | 86.63 | 98.09% | 5 | |
118 | Turkey | 86.8 | 95.69% | 2 | |
119 | Romania | 86.88 | 98.76% | 5 | |
120 | The Bahamas | 86.99 | 95.6% | ||
121 | Brunei | 87.58 | 96.66% | ||
122 | Malaysia | 87.58 | 94.64% | ||
123 | Uruguay | 87.59 | 98.44% | ||
124 | Tajikistan | 87.71 | 99.78% | ||
125 | Mexico | 87.73 | 94.55% | 3 | 38.6% |
126 | Chile | 87.89 | 96.63% | 2 | |
127 | Bhutan | 87.94 | 63.91% | ||
128 | Costa Rica | 88.34 | 97.65% | 1 | 40.9% |
129 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 88.54 | 98.49% | 2 | 69.1% |
130 | Armenia | 88.82 | 99.77% | 89.9% | |
131 | Thailand | 88.87 | 93.98% | ||
132 | Kazakhstan | 88.89 | 99.79% | ||
133 | Uzbekistan | 89.01 | 100% | ||
134 | Iraq | 89.28 | 79.72% | 1 | |
135 | Vietnam | 89.53 | 94.51% | 1 | |
136 | Serbia | 89.6 | 98% | ||
137 | Moldova | 89.98 | 99.24% | ||
138 | Ukraine | 90.07 | 99.76% | 6 | |
139 | Suriname | 90.29 | 95.54% | ||
140 | Greece | 90.77 | 95.29% | 2 | 65.3% |
141 | Bulgaria | 90.99 | 98.39% | 1 | 77.8% |
142 | Mongolia | 91.03 | 98.37% | 45% | |
143 | Myanmar | 91.18 | 93.09% | 1 | |
144 | Malta | 91.27 | 94.07% | 48.3% | |
145 | Barbados | 91.6 | 99.7% | ||
146 | Israel | 92.43 | 97.1% | 13 | |
147 | Portugal | 92.77 | 95.43% | 2 | 43.5% |
148 | Cyprus | 93.39 | 99.06% | 1 | 74.5% |
149 | Bermuda | 93.48 | 98% | ||
150 | Spain | 93.9 | 98.11% | 8 | 53.3% |
151 | New Caledonia | 93.92 | 96.94% | ||
152 | Vanuatu | 93.92 | 85.06% | ||
153 | Italy | 94.23 | 99.02% | 21 | 52.5% |
154 | Latvia | 94.79 | 99.89% | 1 | |
155 | Czech Republic | 94.92 | 99% | 6 | |
156 | Ireland | 95.13 | 99% | 11 | |
157 | Andorra | 95.2 | 100% | ||
158 | Croatia | 95.75 | 99.27% | 2 | |
159 | Lithuania | 95.89 | 99.82% | 3 | 89.9% |
160 | Russia | 96.29 | 99.72% | ||
161 | Slovakia | 96.32 | 99.6% | ||
162 | Poland | 96.35 | 99.79% | 19 | 87.8% |
163 | France | 96.69 | 99% | 71 | |
164 | Sweden | 97 | 99% | 32 | |
165 | Norway | 97.13 | 100% | 13 | |
166 | United States of America | 97.43 | 99% | 400 | 90.9% |
167 | Belgium | 97.49 | 99% | 11 | |
168 | Denmark | 97.83 | 99% | 13 | 79.3% |
169 | Iceland | 98.26 | 99% | 1 | 74.1% |
170 | Austria | 98.38 | 98% | 22 | |
171 | New Zealand | 98.57 | 99% | 3 | 75.1% |
172 | Slovenia | 98.6 | 99.71% | 1 | |
173 | North Korea | 98.82 | 100% | ||
174 | United Kingdom | 99.12 | 99% | 137 | 79.9% |
175 | Australia | 99.24 | 99% | 12 | 80.1% |
176 | Hungary | 99.24 | 99.38% | 13 | 80% |
177 | Switzerland | 99.24 | 99% | 27 | |
178 | Canada | 99.52 | 99% | 28 | |
179 | Cambodia | 99.75 | 78.35% | ||
180 | Macau | 99.82 | |||
181 | Luxembourg | 99.87 | 100% | 2 | |
182 | Estonia | 100.72 | 99.82% | 85.8% | |
183 | Germany | 100.74 | 99% | 111 | |
184 | Netherlands | 100.74 | 99% | 22 | 73% |
185 | Liechtenstein | 101.07 | 100% | ||
186 | Finland | 101.2 | 100% | 5 | |
187 | Belarus | 101.6 | 99.72% | 2 | |
188 | South Korea | 102.35 | 97.97% | ||
189 | People's Republic of China | 104.1 | 96.36% | 8 | |
190 | Hong Kong | 105.37 | 93.5% | 1 | |
191 | Singapore | 105.89 | 96.77% | 74.5% | |
192 | Taiwan | 106.47 | 96.1% | 4 | |
193 | Japan | 106.48 | 99% | 29 |
Dumbest Countries
Nepal, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guatemala, The Gambia, Nicaragua, Guinea, Ghana, Ivory Coast and South Sudan are the ten dumbest countries in the world – all these nations having average IQs that are below 60 points. Nepal is the dumbest country in the world, with an average IQ of 42.99, the lowest in the world. Similarly, Liberia and Sierra Leone both have an average IQ score of 45.07, making them the second and third dumbest countries in the world. At 47.72 is Guatemala, the fourth dumbest country, while The Gambia comes fifth with an average of 52.98. Nicaragua is the sixth dumbest country with a score of 52.69, and Guinea is the seventh dumbest with a score of 53.48. The eighth and ninth dumbest countries are Ghana and Ivory Coast, both at an average IQ score of 58.16. Finally, the tenth dumbest country in the world is South Sudan,with an average score of 58.61 points.
Dumbest Countries in the World
1. Nepal – 42.99
2. Liberia – 45.07
3. Sierra Leone – 45.07
4. Guatemala – 47.72
5. The Gambia – 52.98
6. Nicaragua – 52.69
7. Guinea – 53.48
8. Ghana – 58.16
9. Ivory Coast – 58.16
10. South Sudan – 58.61
Dumbest Country in the World
The dumbest country in the world is Nepal, with an average IQ level of 42.99. There are a number of reasons why Nepal ranks so poorly for average IQ compared to other countries. Some of these include being underdeveloped, lacking resources, and being one of the poorest nations in the world. Nepali citizens have a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita of $1,181, meaning they lack the money for basic education that would greatly help increase average IQ levels. Other reasons for such low average IQ levels are Nepal’s political instability and natural disasters, like the 2015 earthquake, which devastated the nation and destroyed much of the country’s infrastructure.
Average IQ by Country
Afghanistan
82.12
Ranked in the World
#96
38.17%
Ranked in the World
#197
The ninety-sixth dumbest country is Afghanistan, the country has an average IQ of 82.12. This is a result of factors such as poverty, malnutrition, and limited access to educational opportunities. Many parts of Afghanistan lack basic infrastructure and resources, including educational materials and qualified teachers. This contributes to lower academic performance among many Afghan children, leading to lower overall IQ scores compared to other nations.
Albania
81.75
Ranked in the World
#90
97.55%
Ranked in the World
#75
The ninetieth dumbest country is Albania, the country has an average IQ of 81.75 and has a relatively low IQ level compared to other countries in Europe. There are significant differences between rural and urban populations when it comes to educational attainment – only 30% of rural Albanians have completed secondary school compared to over 60% of urban locals. It is worth noting that socioeconomic factors like poverty and limited access to quality education may be playing a role in the comparatively low average IQ in Albania.
Algeria
Ranked in the World
#55
79.61%
Ranked in the World
#156
Ranked in the World
#34
Andorra
95.2
Ranked in the World
#157
100%
Ranked in the World
#1
Angola
75.1
Ranked in the World
#53
71.16%
Ranked in the World
#172
Antigua and Barbuda
70.48
Ranked in the World
#42
98.95%
Ranked in the World
#53
Argentina
86.63
Ranked in the World
#117
98.09%
Ranked in the World
#63
Ranked in the World
#26
Armenia
88.82
Ranked in the World
#130
99.77%
Ranked in the World
#16
Education Attainment
89.9%
Ranked in the World
#2
Australia
99.24
Ranked in the World
#175
Ranked in the World
#34
Ranked in the World
#17
Education Attainment
80.1%
Ranked in the World
#6
The one-hundred-seventy-fifth dumbest country is Australia, which has an average IQ of 99.24. Australia has increased investment in education and more access to educational resources are available, seeing the averageIQ improve over the previous decades. Some experts have hypothesized that certain lifestyle changes, such as reducing alcohol consumption and increasing exercise, may have played a role in boosting overall intelligence levels in Australia.
Austria
98.38
Ranked in the World
#170
Ranked in the World
#65
Ranked in the World
#9
Azerbaijan
84.81
Ranked in the World
#111
99.81%
Ranked in the World
#11
Ranked in the World
#49
The one-hundred-eleventh dumbest country is Azerbaijan, which has an average IQ of 84.81. Even though Azerbaijan has a low average IQ, its population still performs relatively well when compared to other developing countries around the world. This may be due to factors such as solid educational systems, adequate healthcare access and nutrition, and a strong economy that provides more opportunities for citizens to develop their skills. Azerbaijani government agencies have taken initiatives such as introducing mandatory courses concerning phonetic reading and mathematical concepts in schools across the country.
Bahrain
83.6
Ranked in the World
#102
95.72%
Ranked in the World
#92
Education Attainment
68.7%
Ranked in the World
#17
Bangladesh
74.33
Ranked in the World
#49
61.49%
Ranked in the World
#182
Ranked in the World
#35
Education Attainment
36.8%
Ranked in the World
#39
Barbados
91.6
Ranked in the World
#145
99.7%
Ranked in the World
#23
Belarus
101.6
Ranked in the World
#187
99.72%
Ranked in the World
#19
Ranked in the World
#36
Belgium
97.49
Ranked in the World
#167
Ranked in the World
#35
Ranked in the World
#19
Belize
62.55
Ranked in the World
#15
82.78%
Ranked in the World
#150
Education Attainment
43.3%
Ranked in the World
#34
Benin
69.71
Ranked in the World
#40
38.45%
Ranked in the World
#196
Bermuda
93.48
Ranked in the World
#149
Ranked in the World
#66
Bhutan
87.94
Ranked in the World
#127
63.91%
Ranked in the World
#180
Bolivia
76.53
Ranked in the World
#60
95.14%
Ranked in the World
#104
Education Attainment
59.2%
Ranked in the World
#23
Bosnia and Herzegovina
88.54
Ranked in the World
#129
98.49%
Ranked in the World
#57
Ranked in the World
#37
Education Attainment
69.1%
Ranked in the World
#16
Botswana
69.45
Ranked in the World
#37
88.22%
Ranked in the World
#138
Brazil
83.38
Ranked in the World
#101
92.59%
Ranked in the World
#126
Ranked in the World
#50
The one-hundred-first dumbest country is Brazil, which has an average IQ of 83.38. Socio-economic factors such as poverty, malnutrition, and lack of access to healthcare play a role in lowering the average IQ score among Brazilians. As does education, the majority of people in Brazil come from an educational background that is traditionally focused on vocational rather than theoretical skills. This means that the Brazilian education system often does not provide enough opportunities for students to develop higher-order thinking skills, which can lead to lower overall IQ scores among the population.
British Virgin Islands
76.69
Ranked in the World
#61
97.8%
Ranked in the World
#71
Brunei
87.58
Ranked in the World
#121
96.66%
Ranked in the World
#84
Bulgaria
90.99
Ranked in the World
#141
98.39%
Ranked in the World
#59
Ranked in the World
#51
Education Attainment
77.8%
Ranked in the World
#10
Burkina Faso
73.8
Ranked in the World
#47
37.75%
Ranked in the World
#199
Burundi
72.09
Ranked in the World
#44
85.5%
Ranked in the World
#145
Cambodia
99.75
Ranked in the World
#179
78.35%
Ranked in the World
#160
Cameroon
67.76
Ranked in the World
#27
74.99%
Ranked in the World
#166
Canada
99.52
Ranked in the World
#178
Ranked in the World
#36
Ranked in the World
#7
The one-hundred-seventy-eighth dumbest nation is Canada, the country has an average IQ of 99.52. Canadian intelligence appears to vary according to individual ability and educational level, where those with higher education tend to have significantly higher IQ scores than those without. Certain regions in Canada also have higher or lower IQ averages than others, as cities like Toronto and Vancouver boast scores above 100 while rural regions often score lower than the national average.
Cayman Islands
82.24
Ranked in the World
#97
98.87%
Ranked in the World
#54
Central African Republic
62.55
Ranked in the World
#16
36.75%
Ranked in the World
#200
Chad
78.87
Ranked in the World
#73
40.02%
Ranked in the World
#195
Chile
87.89
Ranked in the World
#126
96.63%
Ranked in the World
#85
Ranked in the World
#38
Colombia
83.13
Ranked in the World
#99
94.58%
Ranked in the World
#110
Ranked in the World
#39
Education Attainment
53.2%
Ranked in the World
#25
Comoros
77.07
Ranked in the World
#63
78.14%
Ranked in the World
#161
Costa Rica
88.34
Ranked in the World
#128
97.65%
Ranked in the World
#74
Ranked in the World
#52
Education Attainment
40.9%
Ranked in the World
#36
Croatia
95.75
Ranked in the World
#158
99.27%
Ranked in the World
#30
Ranked in the World
#40
Cuba
83.9
Ranked in the World
#103
99.71%
Ranked in the World
#21
Cyprus
93.39
Ranked in the World
#148
99.06%
Ranked in the World
#32
Ranked in the World
#53
Education Attainment
74.5%
Ranked in the World
#12
Czech Republic
94.92
Ranked in the World
#155
Ranked in the World
#37
Ranked in the World
#24
Democratic Republic of the Congo
64.92
Ranked in the World
#21
77.22%
Ranked in the World
#163
Denmark
97.83
Ranked in the World
#168
Ranked in the World
#38
Ranked in the World
#13
Education Attainment
79.3%
Ranked in the World
#9
Djibouti
68.41
Ranked in the World
#29
67.9%
Ranked in the World
#174
Dominica
66.03
Ranked in the World
#23
Ranked in the World
#117
Dominican Republic
82.05
Ranked in the World
#93
92.47%
Ranked in the World
#127
The ninety-third “dumbest” country is the Dominican Republic, which has an average IQ of 82.05. This lower IQ score can be attributed to a number of factors including a lack of educational resources and disparities in income levels. The country's history of poverty and inequality also contributes to this lower IQ.
East Timor
78.49
Ranked in the World
#67
64.07%
Ranked in the World
#179
Ecuador
78.26
Ranked in the World
#66
94.52%
Ranked in the World
#112
Education Attainment
43.4%
Ranked in the World
#33
Egypt
76.32
Ranked in the World
#57
75.84%
Ranked in the World
#165
Ranked in the World
#29
El Salvador
69.63
Ranked in the World
#38
87.65%
Ranked in the World
#139
Education Attainment
33.6%
Ranked in the World
#40
Eritrea
68.77
Ranked in the World
#33
73.85%
Ranked in the World
#167
Estonia
100.72
Ranked in the World
#182
99.82%
Ranked in the World
#9
Education Attainment
85.8%
Ranked in the World
#5
Eswatini
68.87
Ranked in the World
#34
87.47%
Ranked in the World
#141
Ethiopia
68.42
Ranked in the World
#30
49.03%
Ranked in the World
#191
Ranked in the World
#54
Federated States of Micronesia
83.96
Ranked in the World
#104
Ranked in the World
#135
Fiji
83.96
Ranked in the World
#105
93.7%
Ranked in the World
#120
Finland
101.2
Ranked in the World
#186
100%
Ranked in the World
#2
Ranked in the World
#27
France
96.69
Ranked in the World
#163
Ranked in the World
#39
Ranked in the World
#4
Gabon
62.97
Ranked in the World
#18
83.24%
Ranked in the World
#149
Georgia
84.5
Ranked in the World
#110
99.76%
Ranked in the World
#17
Germany
100.74
Ranked in the World
#183
Ranked in the World
#40
Ranked in the World
#3
The one-hundred-eighty-third dumbest nation is Germany, the country has an average IQ score of 100.74. It has been suggested that this high IQ is partly due to the fact that Germany has a very strong emphasis on education, with 97% of 25-34-year-olds having completed at least upper secondary education. Germany's literacy rate is at 99%, one of the highest globally.
Ghana
58.16
Ranked in the World
#8
76.58%
Ranked in the World
#164
Ranked in the World
#55
Greece
90.77
Ranked in the World
#140
95.29%
Ranked in the World
#102
Ranked in the World
#41
Education Attainment
65.3%
Ranked in the World
#19
The one-hundred-fortieth dumbest country is Greece, which has an average IQ score of 90.77. The low average IQ in Greece can be attributed to a variety of factors such as a lack of access to quality education and health services and low levels of nutrition for many members of society. Economic hardship faced by citizens within the country could also contribute to lower IQ scores in comparison to other countries with better economic and social conditions. There have been initiatives aimed at improving overall intelligence levels among Greek citizens by introducing new methods of teaching and learning which can help people think more critically and solve complex problems more effectively.
Grenada
79.34
Ranked in the World
#78
Ranked in the World
#90
Guatemala
47.72
Ranked in the World
#4
79.07%
Ranked in the World
#159
Ranked in the World
#42
Guinea
53.48
Ranked in the World
#7
30.47%
Ranked in the World
#203
The seventh dumbest country is Guinea, which has an average IQ of 53.48. Guinea has suffered from political unrest in recent years, leading to increased economic hardship and limited resources available for educational support, essential for developing cognitive skills and abilities.
Guyana
83.23
Ranked in the World
#100
87.54%
Ranked in the World
#140
Haiti
82.1
Ranked in the World
#95
60.69%
Ranked in the World
#183
The ninety-fifth dumbest country is Haiti, which has an average IQ of 82.1. This low IQ level is largely attributed to poverty and a lack of adequate access to education in Haiti. Poor nutrition, sanitation, and health care also contribute to lower cognitive development due to the lack of resources.
Honduras
62.16
Ranked in the World
#14
88.42%
Ranked in the World
#137
Hong Kong
105.37
Ranked in the World
#190
93.5%
Ranked in the World
#121
Ranked in the World
#56
Hungary
99.24
Ranked in the World
#176
99.38%
Ranked in the World
#28
Ranked in the World
#14
Education Attainment
80%
Ranked in the World
#7
Iceland
98.26
Ranked in the World
#169
Ranked in the World
#41
Ranked in the World
#57
Education Attainment
74.1%
Ranked in the World
#14
India
76.24
Ranked in the World
#56
72.23%
Ranked in the World
#169
Ranked in the World
#18
The fifty-sixth dumbest nation is India, which has an average IQ of 76.24. Evidence suggests that India's education system and economic development are making a positive impact on the country's average IQ scores, with set scores increasing over time. Researchers have also argued that the average IQ in India could actually be higher than 82, as traditional intelligence tests may not accurately capture the cognitive capacity of people from Indian culture.
Indonesia
78.49
Ranked in the World
#68
95.44%
Ranked in the World
#98
Education Attainment
38.1%
Ranked in the World
#38
Iran
80.01
Ranked in the World
#80
87.17%
Ranked in the World
#142
Ranked in the World
#58
Iraq
89.28
Ranked in the World
#134
79.72%
Ranked in the World
#155
Ranked in the World
#59
Ireland
95.13
Ranked in the World
#156
Ranked in the World
#42
Ranked in the World
#20
The one-hundred-fifty-sixth dumbest country is Ireland, which has an average IQ of 95.13. Ireland tends to be slightly above the global average in mental arithmetic and visual puzzles, while performing at or slightly below average in verbal and numerical reasoning tests. The average IQ score for Irish males is 96 while it is 94 for females. This small difference between genders is in line with the global trend, where males tend to have a small edge over females when it comes to IQ scores.
Israel
92.43
Ranked in the World
#146
97.1%
Ranked in the World
#77
Ranked in the World
#15
The one-hundred-forty-sixth dumbest nation is Israel, which has an average IQ of 92.43. The educational system in Israel is highly regarded, with 97% of students completing secondary school by age 17 and 87% completing higher education. Despite having higher than average rates of educational attainment, the IQ scores have remained unchanged for over a decade.
Italy
94.23
Ranked in the World
#153
99.02%
Ranked in the World
#33
Ranked in the World
#11
Education Attainment
52.5%
Ranked in the World
#26
Ivory Coast
58.16
Ranked in the World
#9
43.27%
Ranked in the World
#194
Jamaica
75.08
Ranked in the World
#52
88.5%
Ranked in the World
#136
Japan
106.48
Ranked in the World
#193
Ranked in the World
#43
Ranked in the World
#6
The one-hundred-ninety-third dumbest nation is Japan, which has the highest average IQ score in the world at 106.48. The country’s comprehensive educational system also plays an important role in their high average IQ scores and research has indicated that the strong focus on education from a young age has helped in a strong average IQ. Other factors that have been attributed to this high average include the Japanese emphasis on teamwork and collaboration, their general respect for knowledge and wisdom, and their overall culture of hard work.
Jordan
80.7
Ranked in the World
#82
98.01%
Ranked in the World
#64
Education Attainment
50.2%
Ranked in the World
#28
Kazakhstan
88.89
Ranked in the World
#132
99.79%
Ranked in the World
#13
Kenya
75.2
Ranked in the World
#54
78.02%
Ranked in the World
#162
Ranked in the World
#60
Kuwait
78.64
Ranked in the World
#70
96.12%
Ranked in the World
#88
Kyrgyzstan
79.09
Ranked in the World
#76
99.5%
Ranked in the World
#27
Laos
80.99
Ranked in the World
#85
79.87%
Ranked in the World
#154
Latvia
94.79
Ranked in the World
#154
99.89%
Ranked in the World
#8
Ranked in the World
#61
Lebanon
81.7
Ranked in the World
#89
94.05%
Ranked in the World
#116
Lesotho
68.87
Ranked in the World
#35
79.36%
Ranked in the World
#157
Liberia
45.07
Ranked in the World
#2
47.6%
Ranked in the World
#193
Ranked in the World
#43
Libya
80.92
Ranked in the World
#84
91.39%
Ranked in the World
#130
Liechtenstein
101.07
Ranked in the World
#185
100%
Ranked in the World
#3
Lithuania
95.89
Ranked in the World
#159
99.82%
Ranked in the World
#10
Ranked in the World
#31
Education Attainment
89.9%
Ranked in the World
#3
Luxembourg
99.87
Ranked in the World
#181
100%
Ranked in the World
#4
Ranked in the World
#44
Macau
99.82
Ranked in the World
#180
Madagascar
76.79
Ranked in the World
#62
64.66%
Ranked in the World
#177
Malawi
69.7
Ranked in the World
#39
65.96%
Ranked in the World
#176
Malaysia
87.58
Ranked in the World
#122
94.64%
Ranked in the World
#108
Maldives
80.54
Ranked in the World
#81
99.32%
Ranked in the World
#29
Mali
59.76
Ranked in the World
#11
33.07%
Ranked in the World
#201
Education Attainment
5.4%
Ranked in the World
#41
The eleventh dumbest country is Mali, which has an average IQ score of 59.76. Mali’s education system is one of the weakest in West Africa and only 58% of children between the ages 6-11 attend school. There are also very few resources available for those wishing to pursue higher education, contributing to a low adult literacy rate of 28%, significantly lower than the world average. That all contributes to the nation's low average IQ.
Malta
91.27
Ranked in the World
#144
94.07%
Ranked in the World
#115
Education Attainment
48.3%
Ranked in the World
#29
Marshall Islands
83.96
Ranked in the World
#106
98.27%
Ranked in the World
#61
Mauritania
59.76
Ranked in the World
#12
52.12%
Ranked in the World
#190
Mauritius
86.56
Ranked in the World
#115
90.62%
Ranked in the World
#132
Mexico
87.73
Ranked in the World
#125
94.55%
Ranked in the World
#111
Ranked in the World
#32
Education Attainment
38.6%
Ranked in the World
#37
The one-hundred-twenty-fifth dumbest country is Mexico, which has an average IQ score of 87.73. The majority of Mexican citizens live in rural areas where educational materials are scarce, rising poverty levels, and unequal access to education opportunities all contribute to low average IQ scores. Despite challenges posed by these factors, Mexico has made great strides in recent years toward improving education outcomes for its citizens; this includes increased investment in public schooling programs and expanded access to higher education institutions.
Moldova
89.98
Ranked in the World
#137
99.24%
Ranked in the World
#31
Mongolia
91.03
Ranked in the World
#142
98.37%
Ranked in the World
#60
Education Attainment
45%
Ranked in the World
#31
Montenegro
85.78
Ranked in the World
#113
98.72%
Ranked in the World
#56
Morocco
67.03
Ranked in the World
#25
71.71%
Ranked in the World
#170
Ranked in the World
#62
Mozambique
72.5
Ranked in the World
#45
58.84%
Ranked in the World
#186
The forty-fifth dumbest country is Mozambique, which has an average IQ score of 72.5. Though the score reflects a gap between the developed and developing countries, Mozambique has been making significant strides towards closing this gap. In recent years, educational standards have improved markedly and investments in primary education are continuing to rise. The UN estimates that over 80% of children between the ages of 6 and 13 now attend school. Living conditions in Mozambique are also slowly improving with increasing access to healthcare and nutrition, both of which are known to contribute positively to cognitive development.
Myanmar
91.18
Ranked in the World
#143
93.09%
Ranked in the World
#123
Ranked in the World
#63
Namibia
66.19
Ranked in the World
#24
90.82%
Ranked in the World
#131
Nepal
42.99
Ranked in the World
#1
64.66%
Ranked in the World
#178
The dumbest country in the world is Nepal, which has the lowest average IQ in the world at 42.99. The reasons for Nepal being the dumbest nation in the world is due to Nepal's limited access to educational resources and opportunities, making it difficult for individuals to receive a quality education and reach higher levels of cognitive development. Many people in Nepal live in poverty and without proper nutrition, leading to stunted intellectual development. The lack of modern technological infrastructure also plays a role, as it denies people access to new sources of knowledge and advancements in scientific understanding.
Netherlands
100.74
Ranked in the World
#184
Ranked in the World
#45
Ranked in the World
#10
Education Attainment
73%
Ranked in the World
#15
New Caledonia
93.92
Ranked in the World
#151
96.94%
Ranked in the World
#81
New Zealand
98.57
Ranked in the World
#171
Ranked in the World
#46
Ranked in the World
#33
Education Attainment
75.1%
Ranked in the World
#11
Nicaragua
52.69
Ranked in the World
#6
82.47%
Ranked in the World
#151
Niger
70.82
Ranked in the World
#43
19.1%
Ranked in the World
#204
The forty-third dumbest country in the world is Niger, which has an average IQ of 70.82. Poverty, similarly to other nations with a low average IQ, plays an important role in affecting Niger’s average IQ. Education levels are also generally quite low, often due to limited access or resources. In many cases, public schools are overcrowded or lack trained teachers capable of delivering quality instruction. This further contributes to Niger's lower-than-average IQ score and creates a significant challenge for their educational system moving forward.
Nigeria
67.76
Ranked in the World
#28
59.57%
Ranked in the World
#185
Ranked in the World
#64
The twenty-eighth dumbest nation is Nigeria, which has an average IQ of 67.76. It has been found that education significantly affects IQ scores in Nigeria, those with at least some higher education have an average IQ score of 75 while those without higher education have an average IQ score of 57. States throughout Nigeria also have varying IQ scores, for example, Imo State had an average IQ score of 77 while Osun State had an average IQ score of 61, indicating that there are discrepancies in intellectual development across states in Nigeria potentially due to differences in poverty level, access to healthcare and education.
North Korea
98.82
Ranked in the World
#173
100%
Ranked in the World
#5
Northern Mariana Islands
81.36
Ranked in the World
#86
Ranked in the World
#79
Norway
97.13
Ranked in the World
#165
100%
Ranked in the World
#6
Ranked in the World
#16
Oman
78.7
Ranked in the World
#71
93.97%
Ranked in the World
#119
Education Attainment
62.2%
Ranked in the World
#22
Pakistan
Ranked in the World
#79
56.44%
Ranked in the World
#188
Ranked in the World
#45
The seventy-ninth dumbest country is Pakistan, which has an average IQ of 80. Regional disparities exist within the country, with some areas having higher levels of educational attainment than others due to varying economic resources and access to quality education. The low ranking of IQ can be attributed to various factors such as inadequate educational systems, inadequate public health care services, poor nutritional status, and environmental constraints.
Palestine
77.69
Ranked in the World
#65
96.67%
Ranked in the World
#83
Ranked in the World
#65
Education Attainment
45.9%
Ranked in the World
#30
Panama
Ranked in the World
#75
95.04%
Ranked in the World
#105
Papua New Guinea
78.49
Ranked in the World
#69
63.43%
Ranked in the World
#181
Paraguay
84.04
Ranked in the World
#108
95.54%
Ranked in the World
#96
Education Attainment
42.4%
Ranked in the World
#35
People's Republic of China
104.1
Ranked in the World
#189
96.36%
Ranked in the World
#87
Ranked in the World
#22
Peru
81.44
Ranked in the World
#87
94.37%
Ranked in the World
#114
Ranked in the World
#66
Philippines
81.64
Ranked in the World
#88
96.62%
Ranked in the World
#86
Ranked in the World
#67
The eighty-eighth dumbest nation is the Philippines, which has an average IQ of 81.64. Research shows that there are certain areas where Filipinos excel in terms of intelligence - such as math and science - due to their propensity for hard work, dedication, and creativity. It was found that Filipinos with higher education tend to possess higher IQs than those without a college degree or higher.
Poland
96.35
Ranked in the World
#162
99.79%
Ranked in the World
#14
Ranked in the World
#12
Education Attainment
87.8%
Ranked in the World
#4
Portugal
92.77
Ranked in the World
#147
95.43%
Ranked in the World
#99
Ranked in the World
#46
Education Attainment
43.5%
Ranked in the World
#32
Puerto Rico
81.99
Ranked in the World
#92
93.33%
Ranked in the World
#122
Qatar
80.78
Ranked in the World
#83
97.76%
Ranked in the World
#73
Republic of Macedonia
81.91
Ranked in the World
#91
97.84%
Ranked in the World
#70
Education Attainment
68.3%
Ranked in the World
#18
Republic of the Congo
62.97
Ranked in the World
#19
79.31%
Ranked in the World
#158
Romania
86.88
Ranked in the World
#119
98.76%
Ranked in the World
#55
Ranked in the World
#28
Russia
96.29
Ranked in the World
#160
99.72%
Ranked in the World
#20
The one-hundred-sixtieth dumbest nation is Russia, which has an average IQ of 96.29. The average IQ of Russians has been steadily rising in recent years, likely due to improved nutrition and access to education for children, as well as increased awareness about cognitive development. Researchers have found that there are regional differences in Russia's average IQ scores, similarly to other countries around the world.
Rwanda
69.95
Ranked in the World
#41
71.24%
Ranked in the World
#171
Saint Helena
68.74
Ranked in the World
#32
Ranked in the World
#80
Saint Lucia
73.68
Ranked in the World
#46
90.1%
Ranked in the World
#133
Ranked in the World
#47
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
63.42
Ranked in the World
#20
95.63%
Ranked in the World
#94
São Tomé and Príncipe
65.22
Ranked in the World
#22
91.75%
Ranked in the World
#129
Saudi Arabia
76.36
Ranked in the World
#58
94.84%
Ranked in the World
#107
Education Attainment
62.3%
Ranked in the World
#21
Senegal
77.37
Ranked in the World
#64
55.62%
Ranked in the World
#189
Serbia
89.6
Ranked in the World
#136
Ranked in the World
#67
Seychelles
78.76
Ranked in the World
#72
95.32%
Ranked in the World
#101
Sierra Leone
45.07
Ranked in the World
#3
48.43%
Ranked in the World
#192
Singapore
105.89
Ranked in the World
#191
96.77%
Ranked in the World
#82
Education Attainment
74.5%
Ranked in the World
#13
The one-hundred-ninety-first dumbest country is Singapore, which has an average IQ of 105.89. This high level of intelligence is due to Singapore's high standards of education and its commitment to fostering a culture of learning and innovation. For instance, Singaporean primary schools have implemented an Advanced Curriculum Program (ACP) that encourages students to pursue studies in more challenging areas such as science, math, and technology. This program creates an environment where students are continuously challenged and encouraged to develop their full intellectual potential.
Slovakia
96.32
Ranked in the World
#161
99.6%
Ranked in the World
#25
Slovenia
98.6
Ranked in the World
#172
99.71%
Ranked in the World
#22
Ranked in the World
#68
Solomon Islands
83.96
Ranked in the World
#107
84.1%
Ranked in the World
#148
Somalia
67.67
Ranked in the World
#26
37.8%
Ranked in the World
#198
The twenty-sixth dumbest country is Somalia, which has an average IQ of 67.67. Somalia has been experiencing political turmoil for years, reducing the average IQ score as access to education and other basic resources is scarce. The World Bank reported that Somalia has an unemployment rate of around 44%, which contributes to a lack of opportunity for many citizens. While most countries are seeing an increase in educational attainment levels, Somalia still has one of the lowest rates in terms of primary school enrollment. This limited access to educational resources can have an impact on IQ scores.
South Africa
68.87
Ranked in the World
#36
94.6%
Ranked in the World
#109
Ranked in the World
#21
South Korea
102.35
Ranked in the World
#188
97.97%
Ranked in the World
#69
South Sudan
58.61
Ranked in the World
#10
31.98%
Ranked in the World
#202
The tenth dumbest country is South Sudan, which has an average IQ of 58.61. The root cause of South Sudan's low average intelligence quotient is likely a combination of nutritional deficiencies, poor healthcare, and educational systems, as well as war-related stressors such as displacement and displacement-related hunger. Despite recent efforts from both national and international organizations, access to basic services such as public health infrastructure remain severely limited in many parts of the country.
Spain
93.9
Ranked in the World
#150
98.11%
Ranked in the World
#62
Ranked in the World
#23
Education Attainment
53.3%
Ranked in the World
#24
Sri Lanka
86.62
Ranked in the World
#116
92.61%
Ranked in the World
#125
Education Attainment
64.8%
Ranked in the World
#20
Sudan
78.87
Ranked in the World
#74
58.6%
Ranked in the World
#187
Suriname
90.29
Ranked in the World
#139
95.54%
Ranked in the World
#97
Sweden
Ranked in the World
#164
Ranked in the World
#48
Ranked in the World
#5
Switzerland
99.24
Ranked in the World
#177
Ranked in the World
#49
Ranked in the World
#8
Syria
74.41
Ranked in the World
#50
86.3%
Ranked in the World
#144
Taiwan
106.47
Ranked in the World
#192
96.1%
Ranked in the World
#89
Ranked in the World
#30
Tajikistan
87.71
Ranked in the World
#124
99.78%
Ranked in the World
#15
Tanzania
74.95
Ranked in the World
#51
80.36%
Ranked in the World
#153
Ranked in the World
#69
Thailand
88.87
Ranked in the World
#131
93.98%
Ranked in the World
#118
The one-hundred-thirty-first dumbest country is Thailand, which has an average IQ of 88.87. Thailand's education system has been progressively improving in recent years, and this may have contributed to the country’s overall IQ increase. A study conducted in Bangkok by Mahidol University found that Thailand’s average IQ has improved by six points since 2000.
The Bahamas
86.99
Ranked in the World
#120
95.6%
Ranked in the World
#95
The Gambia
52.68
Ranked in the World
#5
Togo
59.83
Ranked in the World
#13
66.54%
Ranked in the World
#175
Trinidad and Tobago
85.63
Ranked in the World
#112
98.97%
Ranked in the World
#52
Ranked in the World
#70
Tunisia
79.22
Ranked in the World
#77
81.05%
Ranked in the World
#152
Ranked in the World
#71
Turkey
86.8
Ranked in the World
#118
95.69%
Ranked in the World
#93
Ranked in the World
#48
The one-hundred-eighteenth dumbest nation is Turkey, which has an average IQ of 86.8. The average IQ figure has been increasing over the past decade due to improvements in educational infrastructure and access for all socio-economic classes. For example, between 2006 and 2018, the literacy rate rose from 92% to 97%, indicating that more citizens are being exposed to quality education.
Turkmenistan
85.86
Ranked in the World
#114
99.69%
Ranked in the World
#24
Turks and Caicos Islands
84.29
Ranked in the World
#109
Ranked in the World
#68
Uganda
76.42
Ranked in the World
#59
73.81%
Ranked in the World
#168
Ukraine
90.07
Ranked in the World
#138
99.76%
Ranked in the World
#18
Ranked in the World
#25
United Arab Emirates
82.05
Ranked in the World
#94
92.99%
Ranked in the World
#124
United Kingdom
99.12
Ranked in the World
#174
Ranked in the World
#50
Ranked in the World
#2
Education Attainment
79.9%
Ranked in the World
#8
United States of America
97.43
Ranked in the World
#166
Ranked in the World
#51
Ranked in the World
#1
Education Attainment
90.9%
Ranked in the World
#1
The one-hundred-sixty-sixth dumbest country is the United States, which has an average IQ of 97.43. In the U.S. children of higher socioeconomic backgrounds tend to score higher on IQ tests than those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds due to access to more resources such as better educational opportunities.
Uruguay
87.59
Ranked in the World
#123
98.44%
Ranked in the World
#58
Uzbekistan
89.01
Ranked in the World
#133
100%
Ranked in the World
#7
Vanuatu
93.92
Ranked in the World
#152
85.06%
Ranked in the World
#147
Venezuela
82.99
Ranked in the World
#98
95.4%
Ranked in the World
#100
Ranked in the World
#72
Vietnam
89.53
Ranked in the World
#135
94.51%
Ranked in the World
#113
Ranked in the World
#73
The one-hundred-fifty-fifth dumbest country is Vietnam, which has an average IQ. Despite the current lower IQ averages, Vietnam's educational system is steadily improving, with more emphasis being placed on modern learning techniques such as digital literacy and vocational education. Many foreign NGOs are providing assistance with professional training and knowledge exchanges to help the Vietnamese population develop their intellects.
Yemen
62.86
Ranked in the World
#17
69.96%
Ranked in the World
#173
Ranked in the World
#74
Zambia
68.43
Ranked in the World
#31
85.12%
Ranked in the World
#146
Zimbabwe
74.01
Ranked in the World
#48
86.87%
Ranked in the World
#143
FAQs
What is the dumbest country in the world ?
Nepal is the dumbest country in the world, i.e. the country with the lowest average IQ, with an average IQ level of 42.99.
What are the top 10 dumbest countries ?
1. Nepal – 42.99
2. Liberia – 45.07
3. Sierra Leone – 45.07
4. Guatemala – 47.72
5. The Gambia – 52.98
6. Nicaragua – 52.69
7. Guinea – 53.48
8. Ghana – 58.16
9. Ivory Coast – 58.16
10. South Sudan – 58.61
What is the smartest country in the world ?
The smartest country in the world is Japan, with an average IQ of 106.48.
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