20 Countries That Have Smarter Kids Than America

The 20 countries that have smarter kids than America show that while the United States continues to develop and be referred to as the world’s most powerful country, it still has a long way to go when it comes to education.

Some prefer to determine the status of a country by its military power, while others use their economy as a benchmark. However, a country can also be defined by the level of education present. While literacy rates are often good indicators, they are far from enough when it comes to determining general education levels.

The Programme for International Student Assessment was established in order to test the capacity and capability of various countries. Created by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, PISA has administered a standardized test all around the world to determine which countries have the smartest kids.

The test focuses on three skills: reading, mathematics and science, which are arguably the three most important subjects. The test is administered once every three years and is taken by 15-year-old students. This practice was started in 2000. Over 540,000 students worldwide took part in this test in 2015, from dozens of different countries. The results were astonishing, to say the least. The U.S. has failed to finish in the top 20 in either of the three subjects, raising serious questions regarding the education system in the country. The consensus is that a proper reforming of the education system in the country is required to improve the results instead of consistently falling short.

However, it is also important to note that this does not mean that America does not have bright students and is heading for obscurity. What this test emphasizes is that the average student in the country is not as bright as the average student belonging to a country in this list of 20 countries that have smarter kids in America. The study does not at all represent that the smartest kid in the US is not smarter than the brightest kid in any country on this list.

Hence, it is safe to say that America’s position as a global superpower with the best economy in the world is not in any imminent danger. No country has the resources to compete with the U.S. on such a level and everyone knows that. This is why even if the brightest talent exists elsewhere, it is more likely that they will head to the U.S., or the land of opportunity, in order to further their development and their career.

The biggest companies in the world have often been the brainchild of one genius. Facebook wouldn’t exist without Mark Zuckerberg, while Steve Jobs is the reason Apple is one of the most valuable companies in the world, worth $586 billion. In fact, its nearest competitor is Samsung, which is only worth $161.6 billion, less than a third of Apple’s value. This is despite consistent support and subsidies provided by the Korea’s government. All it takes is one mind to change the world, and America has a history of producing such minds.

We used the rankings of each country in each subject, then calculated their average to come up with our list. Remember, this list is about the smartest 15-year-olds in each country. If you want to learn more about the collective intelligence of a nation, you might prefer to read about the 34 Smartest Countries in the World.

Now, let’s start with our list of countries that have smarter kids than America and see from which countries come the brightest minds of them all.

20. Belgium

Average Score: 503

Reading Score: 499

Math Score: 507

Science Score: 502

While great importance has been given to education in Belgium, the federal government is only minimally involved, with three communities, namely the French, German and Flemish, managing their own school system. However, the education system is not flawless, and a study revealed in 2007 that teachers actively left their jobs due to a threat of violence.

17. Poland

Average Score: 504

Reading Score: 506

Math Score: 504

Science Score: 501

Poland is also among the countries that have smarter kids than America and it has the oldest ministry of education in the world, which was established in 1778. Education is compulsory in the nation for 9 years, after which upper education may be pursued. The system has been designed to allow 22 years of schooling.

17. Norway

Average Score: 504

Reading Score: 513

Math Score: 502

Science Score: 498

Known as one of the happiest countries in the world, Norway ranks high in almost all the criteria that determine the success of a country, including education.

17. Denmark

Average Score: 504

Reading Score: 500

Math Score: 511

Science Score: 502

While the law makes it mandatory for children under the age of 16 to attend school, more than 80 percent continue their studies at a higher level after 16, which is why Norway has some of the most intelligent students in the world.

15. New Zealand

Average Score: 506

Reading Score: 509

Math Score: 495

Science Score: 513

Education in New Zealand is three tiered, with primary school followed by secondary and tertiary schools. Not only does the country have a high score in the PISA study, it has also been consistently ranked highly by the UN’s Human Development Index.

15. Switzerland

Average Score: 506

Reading Score: 492

Math Score: 521

Science Score: 506

It would be a good idea to get used to European countries making up most of the 20 countries that have smarter kids than America. In Switzerland, each canton has authority regarding its education system which makes it one of the most diverse education systems in the world.

14. Germany

Average Score: 508

Reading Score: 509

Math Score: 506

Science Score: 509

Germany is known for its achievement in engineering, especially in cars, but it is also renowned for one of the best education systems out there.

11. The Netherlands

Average Score: 509

Reading Score: 503

Math Score: 512

Science Score: 502

The education system in the Netherlands is based on the concept of division, be it due to the age group or special needs. This allows the teachers to focus specifically on the needs of each child and ensure that the material is delivered to them in the best possible manner.

11. Ireland

Average Score: 509

Reading Score: 521

Math Score: 504

Science Score: 503

Another country with a three-tier education system, a literacy rate of 99 percent and a secondary diplomat rate of  89 percent, there is no wonder that Ireland is featured on this list of countries that have smarter kids than America.

11. Slovenia

Average Score: 509

Reading Score: 505

Math Score: 510

Science Score: 513

Education in Slovenia is regulated at a federal level, allowing a uniform approach and widespread access to education. There are five grades that students get based on their performance, with five being the highest. This grading system has been the same since before the partition of Yugoslavia in 1991.

10. China

Average Score: 514

Reading Score: 494

Math Score: 531

Science Score: 518

China has a state-run public school system, which is mandatory to attend for at least nine years and funded by the Chinese government. It must offer high-quality education, considering China’s position on this list.

9. South Korea

Average Score: 519

Reading Score: 517

Math Score: 524

Science Score: 516

South Korea has managed to keep a low profile; however, it is easy to see why the kids in the country are so smart when you look at the education system. One of the reasons why it’s on the list of countries that have smarter kids than America is because both public and private schools are available, and the government provides funding for both. Among OECD countries, not only does South Korea have some of the top students, but it also boasts one of the highest educated work forces as well.

8. Taiwan

Average Score: 520

Reading Score: 497

Math Score: 542

Science Score: 532

The law in Taiwan has made education compulsory for nine years for everyone, although most of the students opt for further education as well. While it has some of the best test scores in the world, the country itself has been consistently and vehemently criticized based on allegations that it places undue and intense pressure on the students, while also making students refrain creativity in favor of memorization and rote learning.

7. Finland

Average Score: 523

Reading Score: 526

Math Score: 511

Science Score: 531

Finland’s education system is unique, not only because it is completely free and provides its students with subsidized meals, but also because standardized tests are not part of the concept. Instead, focused learning is emphasized, to cater to each child’s different needs.

5. Canada

Average Score: 524

Reading Score: 527

Math Score: 516

Science Score: 528

Education in Canada is funded by either the local, provincial or federal government and education up to the age of 16 is mandatory. However, in some provinces, the minimum age for compulsory education is as high as 18. Since provinces regulate the education system within, which has led to diverse school systems employing various grading techniques and teaching methods.

5. Estonia

Average Score: 524

Reading Score: 519

Math Score: 520

Science Score: 534

Mandatory schooling may seem like a fundamental concept, but it is rarely implemented in the world. The reason these countries are featured on this list is because they have implemented this concept. Estonia does not differ in this regard, with a nine-year compulsory program being followed in the country.

4. Macau

Average Score: 527

Reading Score: 509

Math Score: 544

Science Score: 529

Even though Macau has few government schools, with most schools being subsidized or private, it has managed to compete with the best of the countries with regard to its education system. A compulsory education system has been implemented by its government.

3. Japan

Average Score: 529

Reading Score: 516

Math Score: 532

Science Score: 538

Third place on our list of countries that have smarter kids than America goes to Japan. Education is highly valued and appreciated in Japanese society, which is why policies have been developed to further education and ensure that the students attain the highest possible levels of education. It is another country which has been criticized for placing excessive pressure on students and preferring standard tests over creativity.

2. Hong Kong

Average Score: 533

Reading Score: 527

Math Score: 548

Science Score: 523

Hong Kong has one of the best universities in the world, and is also home to some of the most intelligent secondary students in the world.

1. Singapore

Average Score: 552

Reading Score: 535

Math Score: 564

Science Score: 556

Singaporean students earned the highest scores in each of the three subjects in the PISA test, easily topping the list of 20 countries that have smarter kids than America. Few countries have placed as much importance on education as Singapore, with the country spending over a fifth of its budget on education.