30 Smartest Countries With the Highest Average IQ in the World in 2017

Do you know which are the smartest countries with the highest average IQ in the world in 2017? Let’s find out!

How is the IQ of one country or nation even measured, you may wonder? Researchers usually take part of the population as an experimental base (as they cannot approach all the people) and calculate its average IQ. In this particular matter, IQ is usually measured by using logical and mathematical reasoning tests. You have done those tests at least once in your life during primary or high school, or sometimes even as a job prerequisite, right? On individual level or in a smaller group it is quite easier to get to know one’s IQ. However, even in that case, there are lots of factors that can influence defining and measuring intelligence. First of all, some people can get anxious and nervous once they are aware that somebody is testing them, what, in addition, can result in low score on such tests. That don’t make them stupid, but the test can show so. Another point is that the test results can depend on one’s mood, as well. If you had an awful day, and you are entirely out of focus, the test may show bad results. Therefore, IQ tests shouldn’t be taken as the only parameters of somebody’s intelligence. The same counts for the countries.

There are many opinions on which are the smartest countries in the world, and sometimes the rankings are based on unreliable presumptions. For example, there is a widespread belief that the dumbest country in the world is America. As for the most intelligent race in the world – the title goes to Asian people. However, there is a small number of studies regarding IQ by country or race. One of them is about race differences in IQ, and although it’s very interesting, for our list, we needed the more extensive study. Nevertheless, many out there are definitely interested to know more about average IQ by race. Fortunately, we have found the IQ esearch+ conducted by Richard Lynn, a British Professor of Psychology, and Tatu Vanhanen, a Finnish Professor of Political Science. They measured IQ in more than 80 countries from the year 2002 up to 2006. For example, they measured the average IQ of India that is 82 what puts this country in 25th place (in their rankings). The main purpose of their research was to see if differences in national income are correlated with differences in the average national intelligence quotient (IQ). We also wrote about this same topic, but without this research included a couple of years ago in the article about countries with the highest average IQ in the world – in case you want to make a comparison of the results.

As there are no recent studies similar to the one conducted from 2002 to 2006, we consulted PISA‘s (Program for International Student Assessment) research regarding top performers in science, reading, and mathematics as those are the leading parameters of IQ tests as well. This research was conducted in the 2015, and since those were the freshest data we used them. By combining the results of both studies, we got the list of smartest countries in the world! Our ranking goes from the least smart country to the smartest one. However, if you are eager to find out the opposite, check out the list of dumbest countries in the world. Now let’s see our list of smartest countries with the highest average IQ in the world in 2017.

30. Russia

In the IQresearch+ Russia is in the 10th place with average IQ 97. In PISA research there is 2.9% of top performers in all three fields: mathematics, reading, and science.

29. Latvia

At number 29 on our list of smartest countries in the world is Latvia. Its average IQ from the year 2006 is 98, while there are 1.5% of top performers in the mathematics, reading, and science.

28. Spain

Average IQ of Spain that ranks 28th on our list of smartest countries with the highest average IQ in the world in 2017, according to Lynn-Vanhanen research is 98, which makes it the 8th on their list. Moreover, there are 1.9% of top performers in the mathematics, reading, and science in this country.

27. Malta

In the 2006 research, Malta has IQ 97. However, if we look at its top performers in mathematics, reading, and science, there is 2.8% of them. It may seem little, but out of 436.947 residents, it is good enough.

26. Hungary

Hungary has the same number of IQ as Spain (98) and Latvia. However, the percentage of top performers is different. This country has 2.1% of excellent performers in mathematics, reading, and science.

25. USA

On the 25th place on our list of smartest countries with the highest average IQ in the world in 2017 is the USA. From the 2006 research, measured IQ was 98. Moreover, there are 3.5% of top performers in mathematics, reading, and science, according to PISA.

24. Denmark

Denmark’s IQ is 98, same as the previous USA’s. However, the percentage of top performers in this country is higher. They have 3.1% of people who are excellent in mathematics, readings, and science.

23. Czech Republic

Measured IQ of Czech Republic that ranks 23rd on our list of smartest countries with the highest average IQ in the world in 2017 from the year 2002 up to 2006 was 98. If we look at the results of PISA research, we could see that there is 3.9% of top performers in this country in mathematics, science, and reading.

22. Sweden

Sweden’s top performers in science, reading, and mathematics are 3.9% which is quite a lot. On the other hand, its IQ was 99, according to Lynn-Vanhanen research.

21. France

One of the leading European countries is definitely France. It had IQ 98, while the percentage of top performers in science, mathematics, and reading is 4.5%.

20. Poland

On the 20th place on our list of the smartest countries with the highest average IQ in the world in 2017 is Poland. Its measured IQ between 2002 and 2006 was 99. On the other hand, there are 4% of top performers in mathematics, science, and reading in this country.

19. Italy

Italy’s IQ is among the highest ones according to the research conducted during four years (2002-2006) – 102. Also, the percentage of top performers in mathematics, science, and reading in this country is 1.9%.

18. Iceland

Similar to Italy, Iceland is among the highest ranked positions according to its IQ of 101. However, if we look at the PISA research of percentage of top performers in this country, we could see that it is not among the highest ranked with 2.1%.

17. Austria

In the Lynn-Vanhanen research, Austria is ranked 7th with IQ 100. Moreover, in PISA research, the percentage of top performers in science, reading, and mathematics is 3.4%.

16. Australia

Australia’s measured IQ is 98. On the other hand, the percentage of top performers in this country is 5.1% which is definitely among the highest ones in the PISA research.

15. Luxembourg

Exactly in the middle of our list of the smartest countries with the highest average IQ in the world in 2017 is Luxembourg. Its IQ was 100, while the percentage of top performers in mathematics, reading, and science is 3.7%.

14. United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is one of the most economically successful states. However, are they the most intelligent one as well? Its IQ according to research in 2006 is 100. Moreover, the PISA research noted that there are 4.4% of top performers in mathematics, reading, and science in this country.

13. Germany

IQ of Germany is 99, what puts it on the 8th place on the list based on Lynn-Vanhanen research. According to our ranking, it is on the 13th place by looking at the average number of the previously mentioned list and percentage of top performers in mathematics, reading, and science in this country which is 5.4%.

12. Belgium

Right behind Germany is Belgium with average IQ 99 (same as Germany) and 4.6% of top performers in science, mathematics, and reading in this country.

11. Norway

According to the research conducted from 2002 up to 2006, average IQ that was measured in Norway is 100. On the other hand, they also have the significant percentage of top performers in science, mathematics, and reading in this Scandinavian country with 4.5%.

10. Finland

Another Scandinavian country with high average IQ number (99) is Finland. Also, the percentage of its top performers in mathematics, reading, and science is 6%!

9. Switzerland

On the 9th place of the smartest countries with the highest average IQ in the world in 2017 list is Switzerland. Average IQ number measured from 2002 to 2006 is 101, while there are 4.4% of excellent performers in mathematics, reading, and science.

8. China

It is quite expected that China will be among the highest positions on our list of smartest countries with the highest average IQ in the world in 2017. This country is technically and economically highly developed which demands intelligence and skillful people. Their average IQ was 105, while there are 4.5% of top performers in mathematics, science, and reading in this big country.

7. Estonia

On the 7th place on our list of the smartest countries with the highest average IQ in the world in 2017 is Estonia. Its IQ was 99, while there are 6.1% of top performers in mathematics, reading, and science according to the PISA research.

6. Canada

According to the research of the average IQ number, Canada is 8th on the list with 99. On the other hand, in PISA research Canada is among the highest ranked with 6.4% of people being top performers in mathematics, reading, and science.

5. Netherlands

As one of the most developed countries in Europe, Netherlands got herself 5th on our list of the smartest countries in 2017. Its IQ was measured to be 100, while according to the PISA research there are 6.1% of top performers in mathematics, science, and reading.

4. Hong Kong

Hong Kong, even though it is not a separate country, but the special administrative region is found on our list of smartest countries with the highest average IQ in the world in 2017 as it was ranked separately both in the PISA research as well as in Lynn-Vanhanen’s one. Average measured IQ was 108, which makes it first on the list of average IQ numbers. On the other hand, it has 4.8% of top performers in science, mathematics, and reading.

3. South Korea

Third on our list of the smartest countries with the highest average IQ in the world in 2017 is South Korea. Its average IQ number was 106, while there are 5.9% of top performers in mathematics, reading, and science in this country.

2. Japan

Another Asian country is near the top of our list. Japan’s average IQ number was measured to be 105 between the year 2002 and 2006. Moreover, there are 6.5% of top performers in the fields of mathematics, science, and reading.

1. Singapore

On the very top of our list of the smartest countries with the highest average IQ in the world in 2017 is Singapore! Its average IQ number was measured to be 108, same as in Hong Kong, while there are amazingly 13.7% of people who are top performers in mathematics, science, and reading.