Country with Highest IQ: It is a daunting task to find the country with the highest IQ. This is difficult because there are various factors involved in making such a comparative study. This article covers the study conducted by psychologist Richard Lynn and David Becker for the study titled "The Intelligence of Nations". This list of smartest countries in 2025 based on the data provided by World Population Review.
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What is an IQ Test?
The intelligence quotient, or IQ, is a measure of intelligence. An IQ test is designed to measure a person's cognitive abilities, including problem-solving skills, abstract thinking, and general knowledge.
List of the Top 10 Countries with the Highest IQ [2025]
These are the top 10 countries with the highest IQ as per the World Population Review; the data is based on the Lynn/Becker Scale.
| Sl.No | Country | Average IQ |
| 1 | Japan | 106.48 |
| 2 | Taiwan | 106.47 |
| 3 | Singapore | 105.89 |
| 4 | Hong Kong | 105.37 |
| 5 | China | 104.1 |
| 6 | South Korea | 102.35 |
| 7 | Belarus | 101.6 |
| 8 | Finland | 101.2 |
| 9 | Liechtenstein | 101.07 |
| 10 | Germany | 100.74 |
Source: Word Population Review
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Countries with the Highest IQ in the World
The following are the countries with the highest IQ in the world. Japan leads the charts, followed by Taiwan and Singapore.
1. Japan
As per the report, the Japanese scored 106.48, which makes them the best on the list. Studies have found that Japanese people are good at problem-solving, but the results cannot be generalised.
Japan is famous in the world for the quality of its electronics, cars and motorcycles, which are built using technology that is more advanced than others.
2. Taiwan
Taiwan has made great progress in the world due to its intelligent population. Taiwan currently holds the major share of the semiconductor market, and the intelligence of its people has made it possible.
By scoring 106.47, it secures the second position after Japan.
3. Singapore
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Singapore scrored 105.89 in the study, making it the third on the list. This country ranks high on the list due to a robust education system that focuses more on critical thinking and reasoning skills.
4. Hong Kong
Making it to the fourth position in the study is Hong Kong, another Southeast Asian country. It scored 105.37 in the study. Hong Kong has one of the best education systems in the world, making it a hub of learning. It coincidentally has some of the top universities in the world that help in higher learning.
Studies suggest that the high intelligence of Hong Kong comes from a diet which is high in iodine, and it is a well-known fact that iodine plays an important role in the development of mental ability.
5. China
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China, one of the largest economies in the world, is also placed fifth in the list of smartest countries in the world with a score of 104.1. That is a reflection of the education system of the country.
6. South Korea
As mentioned in the report, most East Asian countries are among the most intelligent countries in the world, and South Korea is an example of that.
The reason South Koreans are intelligent is that there is a high emphasis on scoring good marks and grades, to the extent that candidates are considered for a job if they have great overall scores.
Numbers play a big role in determining your smartness in South Korea.
No wonder, with such pressure to perform, the population needs to evolve and enhance their skills. South Korea is the sixth most intelligent country in the world, scoring 102.35 on the Lynn/Becker scale.
7. Belarus
Belarus is an Eastern European country that has a smart population. It scores 101.6 in the study, which means that the average IQ of Belarus is 101.6. It is the effect of a strong emphasis on education, a rewarding education system and a strong emphasis on maths, science and critical thinking skills.
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8. Finland
Finland completes the list with a score of 101.2, and the reason for its success is based on a robust education system and highly trained teachers who make Finnish people the most productive workers on the planet.
9. Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein scores 101.7 in the study, thereby securing the ninth position among the world's smartest countries. Liechtenstein despite being one of the smallest countries in the world, has a high-quality education system, excellent healthcare facilities and strong emphasis on culture and knowledge based learning
10. Germany
Germany has one of the best overall education systems in the world, from schooling to higher education level. It also boasts one of the best medical facilities in the world, coupled with adequate and high-quality nutrition and living conditions. Germany scores 100.74 on the study.
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