Countries with Highest IQ 2026: Rankings & Turkey’s Position
- A new report ranking countries by average IQ has placed South Korea at the top, with an average score of 106.97.
- Officials involved in the analysis emphasize that all participants were assessed using the same standardized scale.
- The top ten countries with the highest average IQ scores, according to the report, are as follows:
A new report ranking countries by average IQ has placed South Korea at the top, with an average score of 106.97. The “Top 100 Countries by Average IQ 2026” report, compiled by International IQ Test, was updated on and is based on results from the same Raven’s Progressive Matrices-style (abstract reasoning-based) test administered throughout 2025. The study included only countries with at least 100 participants.
Officials involved in the analysis emphasize that all participants were assessed using the same standardized scale. However, they also caution that the results do not necessarily reflect the overall intelligence of each country’s population, given the voluntary nature of participation. Experts note that IQ tests alone are insufficient to measure all dimensions of intelligence, and that cultural, educational, and socioeconomic factors can significantly influence scores.
The top ten countries with the highest average IQ scores, according to the report, are as follows:
- South Korea – 106.97
- China – 106.48
- Japan – 106.3
- Iran – 104.8
- Australia – 104.45
- Russia – 103.78
- Singapore – 103.56
- Mongolia – 102.61
- New Zealand – 102.35
- Vietnam – 102.26
Further down the list, Spain, Cyprus, Canada, and the United Kingdom also feature prominently, with scores of 102.24, 102.12, 102.09, and 101.57 respectively. Sri Lanka (101.22), Slovenia (101.15), Belarus (101.05), the United States (101.04), Albania (101), Switzerland (100.84) also made the top 20.
Turkey’s Ranking
Turkey ranked 69th in the report, with an average IQ of 97. This result has generated considerable discussion on social media, with particular attention focused on a city-level ranking within the country.
Three Turkish cities – Eskişehir, Ankara, and Istanbul – were ranked among the top 30 “smartest” cities globally in the 2025 report. The ranking considered factors such as cognitive achievement, student density, and urban dynamism.
Eskişehir achieved the highest ranking of the three, placing 15th globally. This is attributed to its large student population, vibrant cultural scene, and planned urban development projects. Ankara secured the 19th position, recognized for its academic institutions and capacity for practical problem-solving during crises. Istanbul, with its geopolitical significance, cultural diversity, and rapid digital transformation, was ranked as the 24th smartest city in the world.
The report’s methodology relies on data collected from over 1.2 million individuals who took the same standardized IQ test, offering a broad, if imperfect, snapshot of cognitive abilities across different nations. However, experts reiterate that online, voluntary-based tests have limitations in terms of scientific representativeness. They emphasize that intelligence is a multifaceted concept that cannot be adequately assessed by a single numerical average.
The findings are likely to fuel ongoing debate about the factors that contribute to national intelligence levels. While the report highlights a correlation between IQ scores and educational resources, it also acknowledges the influence of cultural and socioeconomic factors. The implications of these findings extend beyond academic interest, potentially influencing policy decisions related to education, economic development, and international competitiveness.
The report’s release comes amid growing global interest in understanding cognitive abilities and their impact on societal progress. While IQ remains a controversial metric, it continues to be used as one indicator of a nation’s intellectual capital. The latest rankings offer a comparative perspective on cognitive performance across the globe, prompting further research and discussion on the complex interplay between intelligence, education, and societal development.
the study’s reliance on voluntary participation introduces a potential bias, as individuals who choose to take an IQ test may not be representative of the general population. The test itself, while standardized, may not capture the full spectrum of human intelligence, which encompasses a range of cognitive, emotional, and social abilities. The report’s authors acknowledge these limitations and emphasize the need for a nuanced interpretation of the results.