A recent study found that Japan has the highest intelligence quotient (IQ) in the world.
On June 25, the Finnish intelligence testing organization Wiqtcom released the 2024 World’s Most Intelligent Countries Rankings based on IQ test results from 109 countries.
This test was organized by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and evaluates the educational level of students aged 15 and above in each country. The test is composed of assessments in reading, mathematics, and science.
According to the results, Japan took first place with an average IQ of 112.30, which is more than 12 points higher than the global average IQ of 99.64. Following Japan were Hungary (111.28), Taiwan (111.20), and Italy (110.82). South Korea ranked fifth with an average IQ of 110.80.
Among the major advanced countries, Germany (105.23) ranked 23rd, the United Kingdom (97.63) ranked 66th, and the United States (96.57) ranked 77th.
Mozambique was at the bottom of the list at 109th, with a national average IQ of 90.06, which is 9.58 points lower than the world average.
This is not the first time Japan ranked #1 in the highest IQ score. Japan also ranked first in the 2019 Intelligence of Nations report published by the British Ulster Institute, with an average IQ of 106.48. South Korea ranked sixth with an average IQ of 102.35.
According to Wiqtcom, IQ is an indicator used to estimate a person’s general intelligence. The average human IQ is close to 100, with 95% of people falling between 70 and 130. This means that only 5% of the total population has an IQ below 70 or above 130.
