Global IQ rankings often receive a lot of attention because they attempt to compare average cognitive test scores in different countries. The 2026 dataset shows some clear changes in some countries, with some countries improving while others experiencing a slight decline compared to last year. South Korea, China and Japan are still on top and stable in the ranking. At the same time, changes are beginning to be seen in places like Vietnam and Australia, which are moving in different directions.These data come from participant samples and standardized testing methods. Experts often point out that such results can also be influenced by cultural, educational and socio-economic factors.See below global average IQ ranking 2026, according to International IQ Test and Global Statistics 2026.
list of Countries with highest IQ in the world
Average IQ score by country 2026
south korea
South Korea ranks first with an IQ average of 106.97. Although the increase is minimal compared to last year’s figures, it is still significant. Schooling structures in South Korea are very strict and competitive. Participation rates are good, with more than 26,999 people taking part in the survey. The improvement is modest but overall positive.
China
China is in second place with an IQ score of 106.48. This figure shows a slight decline from last year’s 107.19. Despite the decline, China remains on top globally. The sample size is very large, with over 229,000 participants, making it one of the most statistically significant entries. The decline is small but noticeable by comparison.
Japan
Japan has an IQ rating of 106.30, which ranks it third in the world ranking table. There is no significant difference from the previous period with a difference of -0.10. It implies stability and not variability. The number of participants included in the survey is around 56,000.
iran
Iran is in fourth place with an IQ score of 104.80. The change from last year is -1.50, which is relatively large compared to the others in the top five. The number of participants is over 10,000, which is moderate in size. The decline may be linked to differences in sample selection or testing conditions, although no single cause has been clearly identified in the data. Despite the decline, Iran remains highly ranked globally.
Australia
Australia has an IQ of 104.45 and is ranked fifth in the list. It also exhibits one of the highest positive odds (+1.88) in the data set. The positive difference in Australia is unique compared to the rest of the top ten countries. Its partner group is also very small, with less than 4,000 members. This increase takes Australia above its previous position.
Russia
Russia is ranked sixth with an IQ score of 103.78. The increase compared to last year is +0.62, which shows gradual improvement. The number of participants is relatively large at 29,170, giving the results moderate statistical strength. This change is not dramatic but indicates a continued upward trend. Russia remains comfortably in the middle of the top ten. According to the score it is slightly below Australia but ahead of Singapore.
Singapore
Singapore is ranked seventh with an IQ score of 103.56. The change from last year is -1.58, which is one of the larger declines in this dataset. Despite this, the country remains in the top ten global rankings. The number of participants is 6,880, which is relatively small compared to larger countries. This year’s decline has left Singapore below Russia.
mongolia
Mongolia is ranked eighth with an IQ score of 102.61. The change compared to last year is marginal at -0.25. The number of participants is 2,437, making it one of the smaller datasets. The score remains close to last year’s value, indicating continuity. There has been no major change in the ranking position. Mongolia remains in the bottom half of the top ten but still maintains a stable cognitive average within this global comparison.
new zealand
New Zealand is ranked ninth with an IQ score of 102.35. This change is +0.27 from last year. The participant sample is small at 1,184 individuals. The increase is slight but the score still moves upward. The country is close to Mongolia in the ranking. The variation is not large enough to cause a significant change in placement.
vietnam
Vietnam ranked tenth with an IQ score of 102.26. The most notable change in the dataset is here, with an increase of +2.14 compared to last year. The number of participants is 14,915, which is relatively strong. This growth places Vietnam firmly in the top ten. This improvement is the highest among all the listed countries.
