IQ tests measure cognitive abilities, but the results across countries should be interpreted cautiously. Countries with the lowest IQs do not mean that the country or its population is impaired in any way.
These tests are developed based on Western norms and may not fully capture diverse forms of intelligence.
Factors like education access, nutrition, healthcare, and test familiarity significantly influence scores. Lower average IQ scores in some nations reflect socioeconomic and educational disparities rather than innate intellectual differences.
In this thought-provoking exploration, uncover the complex factors behind global IQ disparities and learn how we can foster human potential worldwide.
Top 10 Countries With The Lowest IQ (Below 70)
To begin with a summary, here is the list of the top 10 countries with the lowest average IQ scores, along with a brief description of their socio-economic context:
| Country | Average IQ Score | Socio-Economic Context |
|---|---|---|
| Nepal | 42.99 | Limited access to education, poor healthcare, and low literacy rates. |
| Liberia | 45.07 | Impacted by past civil wars, high poverty rates, and inadequate education systems. |
| Sierra Leone | 45.07 | High poverty, low educational attainment, and political instability. |
| Guatemala | 47.72 | Poverty, inadequate education systems, and high levels of crime. |
| Gambia | 52.68 | High poverty levels, limited access to education, and poor healthcare services. |
| Nicaragua | 52.69 | Struggling with political instability and limited access to quality education. |
| Equatorial Guinea | 53.48 | Economic disparity, limited educational resources, and healthcare challenges. |
| Ivory Coast | 58.16 | Economic challenges, political instability, and limited educational infrastructure. |
| Ghana | 58.16 | Developing countries with significant poverty and challenges in education infrastructure. |
| Cape Verde | 52.5 | Economic challenges, limited educational resources, and healthcare issues. |
The above IQ ratings have been sourced from World Population Review from their research conducted in 2024.
1. Nepal
- Continent: Asia
- Total Population (2024): Approximately 30 million
- Average IQ: 42.99
Many children in Nepal grow up without proper nutrition, crucial for cognitive development. Additionally, the educational system is under-resourced, especially in rural areas where schools may lack basic facilities and trained teachers.
Standardized IQ tests based on Western norms may not reflect the intelligence of individuals from different cultural backgrounds accurately.
Political instability and natural disasters, such as the 2015 earthquake, have disrupted education and infrastructure, worsening these issues.
2. Sierra Leone
- Continent: Africa
- Total Population (2024): Approximately 8 million
- Average IQ: 45.07
Sierra Leone faces high levels of poverty, low educational attainment, and political instability. These factors contribute to its low average IQ of about 45. The population has limited access to quality education and proper nutrition.
The country’s civil war history has disrupted development and education, further complicating efforts to improve cognitive outcomes. Additionally, the healthcare system is under-resourced, impacting overall well-being.
3. Liberia
- Continent: Africa
- Total Population (2024): Approximately 5 million
- Average IQ: 45.07
Liberia, with an average IQ of 45, struggles with high poverty rates and inadequate education systems due to past civil wars. Schools often lack resources, and the population suffers from poor nutrition, affecting cognitive development.
The ongoing challenges from war have left the education system significantly under-resourced. Efforts to rebuild the infrastructure are ongoing but face many hurdles.
4. Guatemala
- Continent: North America
- Total Population (2024): Approximately 18 million
- Average IQ: 47.72
Guatemala has an average IQ of about 48. The country struggles with poverty, inadequate education systems, and high crime levels. The population has limited access to proper education and nutrition, hindering cognitive development.
Economic instability and social issues further complicate efforts to improve these conditions. Moreover, rural areas are particularly affected by lack of resources.
5. Gambia
- Continent: Africa
- Total Population (2024): Approximately 2.5 million
- Average IQ: 52.68
Gambia, with an average IQ of 53, faces high poverty levels, limited access to education, and poor healthcare services. These factors significantly affect cognitive development.
The educational system often lacks the necessary resources and infrastructure, making it challenging to support learning. Additionally, the country faces frequent political instability that disrupts progress.
6. Nicaragua
- Continent: North America
- Total Population (2024): Approximately 7 million
- Average IQ: 52.69
Nicaragua’s average IQ is 53. The country faces political instability and limited access to quality education. The population suffers from poor nutrition, which affects cognitive growth.
Economic challenges and social issues further hinder the development of a robust education system. Natural disasters also frequently impact the country, disrupting education and infrastructure.
7. Equatorial Guinea
- Continent: Africa
- Total Population (2024): Approximately 1.5 million
- Average IQ: 53.48
Equatorial Guinea, with an average IQ of 53, experiences economic disparity, limited educational resources, and healthcare challenges. These issues hinder cognitive development. The uneven distribution of wealth and resources exacerbates these problems, impacting overall development.
Despite being rich in natural resources, corruption and mismanagement remain significant issues.
8. Ivory Coast
- Continent: Africa
- Total Population (2024): Approximately 26 million
- Average IQ: 58.16
Ivory Coast has an average IQ of about 58. The country faces economic challenges, political instability, and limited educational infrastructure.
These factors affect cognitive development. Ongoing political issues and a lack of investment in education contribute to these problems, making it difficult to improve conditions.
Additionally, ethnic tensions and conflicts have disrupted progress. Efforts are being made to address these issues, but progress remains slow and challenging.
9. Ghana
- Continent: Africa
- Total Population (2024): Approximately 34 million
- Average IQ: 58.16
Ghana has an average IQ of 58.16. The country is a developing nation with significant poverty and challenges in education infrastructure. The population often lacks access to quality education and proper nutrition.
Despite efforts to improve, many areas still struggle with inadequate resources and learning support. The government is working towards better educational policies and infrastructure to address these challenges.
10. Cape Verde
- Continent: Africa
- Total Population (2024): Approximately 0.5 million
- Average IQ: 52.5
With an average IQ of 52.5, Cape Verde faces economic challenges, limited educational resources, and healthcare issues. These factors contribute to its low average IQ, affecting cognitive development.
The country’s small size and limited resources exacerbate these challenges, impacting overall progress. Efforts are being made to improve access to education and healthcare to enhance cognitive development.
Methodology Of IQ Testing
Different IQ tests are used worldwide to measure intelligence. These tests are standardized to ensure consistency, but cultural and language differences can influence results.
Standardization helps compare scores across different countries and populations.
Types Of IQ Tests
1. Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale: Measures five factors of cognitive ability.
2. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS): Used for adults, assessing multiple areas of intelligence.
3. Raven’s Progressive Matrices: Non-verbal test measures abstract reasoning.
Standardization
IQ tests are standardized by administering them to a large sample population. This helps in setting norms and making the scores comparable across different groups and countries.
Understanding IQ Measurements
IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, is a score that measures how well a person can think and solve problems. It’s calculated using special tests. These tests ask questions and set tasks to see how well someone can reason, solve problems, and understand ideas.
To calculate your IQ score, your results are compared to those of others of the same age. This helps show how your thinking skills compare to those of the average person.
IQ tests are useful but not perfect. They can miss out on other essential skills like creativity and emotional understanding, and different cultures and languages can also affect the results.
So, while IQ scores give some insight into a person’s thinking, they should be considered along with other information to get a full picture of someone’s abilities.
Factors Influencing IQ Scores
Understanding why some countries have lower IQ scores involves looking at several factors:
1. Nutrition: Proper nutrition is crucial for brain development. Malnutrition, especially in early childhood, can significantly hinder cognitive growth.
2. Education: Access to quality education provides children with the tools to develop their cognitive abilities. Limited access or poor-quality education can negatively impact IQ scores.
3. Socio-Economic Status: Families with higher socioeconomic status often have better access to resources that support cognitive development, like books, educational toys, and tutoring.
4. Cultural Influences: Cultural values and practices can affect how intelligence is viewed and developed. In some cultures, certain cognitive skills may be prioritized over others, influencing overall IQ scores.
5. Health and Healthcare: Access to healthcare is vital. Children suffering from illnesses or lacking vaccinations can experience developmental delays that affect IQ. Regular health check-ups and vaccinations help maintain good health and cognitive growth.
6. Parental Involvement: Active parental engagement in their child’s education and development can boost cognitive skills. This includes reading with children, helping with homework, and encouraging curiosity.
Comparison With Other Countries
Comparing IQ scores between different countries helps highlight important differences. Let’s see how countries with higher and lower IQs differ in various aspects.
1. IQ Score Comparison: When comparing IQ scores, countries with higher IQs often have better education systems and healthcare. This helps people develop their thinking skills more effectively.
2. Socio-Economic Differences: Countries with higher IQ scores usually have better living conditions. They have access to good schools, healthy food, and quality healthcare. These factors help people learn and grow better.
Implications Of Low IQ Scores
Low IQ scores can significantly impact various aspects of a country. Let’s explore these implications.
1. Impact on Education: Low IQ scores can make it harder for students to do well in school. They may struggle with their studies, which can limit their future opportunities.
2. Workforce Development: A lower average IQ in a country can mean fewer skilled workers. This can make it harder for the country to grow economically and compete with other nations.
3. Policy Challenges: Governments in countries with lower IQ scores may find it challenging to create effective education and health policies. They need to address many issues to improve their citizens’ well-being and development.
Efforts To Improve IQ Scores
Various initiatives aim to improve education and cognitive development. Let’s look at some of these efforts.
1. Educational Initiatives: Programs aimed at providing better education can help improve IQ scores. This includes building more schools, training teachers, and updating learning materials.
2. Nutrition Programs: Ensuring that children have access to nutritious food is crucial. Programs that provide healthy meals at school can help improve cognitive development.
3. Community Support: Community programs that support families and children can make a big difference. These might include after-school activities, tutoring, and parent education workshops.
4. Healthcare Access: Improving access to healthcare ensures that children are healthy and able to learn. Regular check-ups and vaccinations are important for preventing illnesses that can affect cognitive development.
5. Success Stories: Some countries have successfully improved their IQ scores by investing in education and healthcare. For example, Singapore and South Korea have seen significant improvements through dedicated efforts in these areas.
Conclusion: Nepal Has The Lowest IQ In The World
Learning about Nepal having the lowest IQ in the world helps us understand how important factors like education, nutrition, and living conditions are for developing thinking skills.
By focusing on these areas, we can find ways to improve people’s lives.
It’s not just about raising IQ scores; it’s about ensuring everyone has access to good food, quality education, and proper healthcare.
Addressing these basic needs can help people reach their full potential and build a better future for themselves and their communities.
FAQs
IQ is measured using standardized tests designed to assess human intelligence. These tests evaluate various cognitive abilities, including logical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and verbal proficiency.
Lower average IQ scores can result from a combination of factors, including poor access to education, malnutrition, poverty, and socioeconomic instability.
IQ scores can change over time, especially with improvements in education, healthcare, and living conditions.
Many organizations and governments are working to improve education, healthcare, and living conditions in low-scoring countries, which can contribute to higher IQ scores over time.
IQ is just one measure of intelligence. Other factors, such as emotional intelligence, creativity, and practical skills, also contribute to a person’s overall cognitive abilities.
IQ tests may not be equally reliable across different cultures due to variations in language, educational systems, and cultural norms. Test results should be interpreted with caution and in the context of the individual’s background.
