Countries in East Asia continue to dominate global intelligence rankings, with China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau tied at the top with the highest IQ average of 107, according to World Population Review. South Korea and Japan follow closely at 106, while Singapore ranks at 105.
The International IQ Test (IIT) results are based on more than 1.3 million participants worldwide, offering one of the most comprehensive global comparisons to date.
Previous studies, such as those by researchers Richard Lynn and David Becker, also placed East Asia at the forefront, reinforcing a long-standing trend, according to World Population Review.
Education scores back the rankings
Educational performance data support these findings. The OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 ranked Singapore first overall, with students excelling in math, science, and reading.
China, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea also ranked among the top five, demonstrating the strong connection between IQ scores and academic achievement, according to World Population Review.
However, experts caution that IQ is not the sole measure of intelligence. Broader indices such as the Intelligence Capital Index (ICI), which factors in educational quality, innovation, and Nobel Prizes, paint a different picture.
In 2017, the United States ranked first on the ICI, while China and Russia placed in the top 10. India, Brazil, and Indonesia also appeared in the rankings, highlighting the importance of diverse measures of intellectual capacity.
Beyond IQ: A broader measure of intelligence
While IQ remains a common benchmark, analysts note that it is influenced by access to education and socioeconomic resources. Regions with lower scores often reflect disparities in schooling and development rather than innate ability.
Still, the latest data underscores the consistent global leadership of East Asian countries in measures of intelligence and academic performance, according to World Population Review.
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