What Is The Smartest Country In The World? Top 10 Countries With the Highest IQ

Ever wonder what is the smartest country in the world and how to measure the IQ score of a region? A country's intelligence does not just involve IQ scores, but also education, and innovative achievements. Let's explore the top 10 smartest countries in 2025 and find out "smart" criteria. 

What Is The Smartest Country In The World?

Recent studies in 2025 showed Japan was the smartest country in the world, followed by Taiwan and Singapore. This ranking assesses the IQ score, education quality and scientific revolution. Find out if your country appears in the list below. 

Top 10 Smartest Countries In 2025

Here is the list of the top 10 smartest countries in the world, along with their significant achievements and contributions:

Japan

Japan ranks first with an average IQ score of 106.48. This high score stems from emphasis on maths and science with efficient education. In its school systems, students consistently perform well in international assessments like PISA. Being fond of science learning has ranked Japan the best education systems worldwide.

What's more, Japan takes the lead in technological innovation. A reported high number of patents are registered annually for tech companies. Iconic companies like Sony, Toyota and Hitachi have taken the world by storm by its innovation. Their efforts to innovate have majorly contributed to global scientific and technological progress. 

Taiwan

Ranked second in the list of the smartest countries in the world is Taiwan, with an average IQ score of 106.47. Their education system with a strong focus on computer science and engineering has paved the way. Taiwanese students consistently perform well in international mathematics and science competitions.

Taiwan is also the leading hub for computer chips with the giant TSMC in the global supply chain. This success results from investments in RnD and quality higher education. 

Singapore

Singapore ranks third with an average IQ of 105.89. According to global IQ rankings, this island nation is consistently among the smartest countries in the world. Singapore is renowned for having the number one education system in the world, particularly in mathematics and science. Its math teaching methods have been adopted by many countries around the world.

Despite being a small country with limited land, Singapore has made significant investments in scientific research and technology, building advanced research centers and attracting talent from around the globe. The Singapore government also implements policies to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. 

Hong Kong

Hong Kong ranks fourth with an average IQ of 105.37. Its education system is the result of traditional Chinese methods and Western techniques. The combination has created a dynamic and effective learning environment. Hong Kong students tend to ace international mathematics and science tests.

Despite the country's size, Hong Kong has invested heavily in research and technology. From there, they develop advanced research centers and attract global talent. This success is also thanks to governmental policies that encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.

China

In recent years, China has made significant progress in education and scientific research. The country is aiming to become a powerhouse with AI, 5G technology, and renewable energy.

China's technological efforts also manifest in a high number of annual patents. Companies like Huawei, Alibaba, and Tencent are global giants in the tech industry.

Korea

South Korea is popular for its highly competitive education system. Korean students spend long hours studying, from early morning until late at night.

South Korea also leads the world in the percentage of people holding a university degree. Over 70% of individuals aged 25-34 have reported to have a bachelor's degree or higher. This educated workforce has contributed significantly to the country’s rapid economic growth.

Belarus

Though less mentioned in the smartest country rankings, Belarus prides itself on STEM. The country inherited the Soviet Union’s educational traditions, focusing on basic sciences.

Belarus is also known for its growing software industry. The capital, Minsk, has become a vital tech hub in Eastern Europe, attracting talent in the IT sector.

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Finland

This Nordic country is famous for having one of the best education systems in the world. Despite little homework and exams given, academic results are still excellent. Apart from school activities, students can develop other skills to foster all-rounded development.

Nokia, a household name in mobile phones, also comes from Finland. Though no longer a leader, its effect still proved the country's position in technology. 

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein covers only 160 km² and has around 38,000 people. Despite its small size, it has a strong education system and a developed economy.

The country has nearly 100% literacy and invests heavily in education. Many graduates come from top universities in Switzerland and Austria.

Germany

Germany is famous for its dual education system with theory and hands-on training. This system helps produce skilled workers and supports the country’s strong economy.

Germany is dominant in technology, especially in engineering and manufacturing. Companies like Siemens, BMW, and Volkswagen are known for quality and innovation. The country also invests heavily in science and research, with famous institutes like the Max Planck Society.

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The average IQ of Vietnamese people

The average IQ of Vietnamese people is 101.45, ranking 20th globally. This proves Vietnam has gone a long way in improving the living environment. From the education system to healthcare, Vietnam shows strong growth throughout the years. Because of this, the country is also one of the fastest growing countries in the world.

In Southeast Asia, Vietnam boasts a very high IQ score. Its figure only trails a few countries like Singapore, and some Asian developed countries.

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Criteria For Assessing A Country's Intelligence

To assess the intelligence of a country and the average IQ of its people, we usually rely on the following criteria:

Average IQ score by country

The average IQ is one of the most common criteria used to assess a country's intelligence. This measure evaluates logical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to understand abstract concepts. The smartest country in the world usually has a high average IQ score.

Still, this test has its own limitations. First, cultural and language factors can create biases for certain groups of people. Second, IQ does not cover all aspects of intelligence. Emotional, social and other types of intelligence are overlooked by IQ tests. 

Education system

The quality of a country's education system is another important criterion. This includes factors like literacy rates, graduation rates, teaching quality, and school facilities.

International programs like PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) provide data on how effective different education systems are. They give an overview of a country's education quality.

The percentage of people with university degrees and the quality of universities are also important indicators. Global rankings like QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education World University Rankings show the quality of higher education in different countries.

Living environment and healthcare

Healthcare and living environments directly affect intellectual development and IQ levels.

• Good healthcare services help cut negative factors impacting intellectual growth.
• A balanced and proper diet during developmental stages influences IQ growth.
• A stable, low-stress living environment contributes to healthy IQ development.

Technological and scientific innovation

Technological innovation and scientific achievements are key factors in measuring a country's intelligence. This includes patents, R&D investment, scientific papers, and major inventions.

Leading countries in innovation create a strong research environment. They invest heavily in R&D and protect intellectual property effectively. Collaboration between universities, research centers, and businesses is key to their success.

Simple And Effective Tips To Boost Your IQ

Though genetics define your IQ, scientific studies show that you can improve it through brain exercises and lifestyle changes. Here are some effective, practical, and scientific ways to boost IQ:

• Read books daily to improve critical thinking and information linking.
• Play brain-boosting games for fun, such as chess or Rubik's cube.
• Exercise regularly to increase blood flow to the brain.
• Get enough sleep to strengthen long-term memory and restore the brain.
• Consume essential nutrients that are good for the brain, like Omega-3, iron, and zinc.

Conclusion

We have shared the top 10 smartest countries in the world in 2025. They not only have strong education systems but also make great contributions to science and technology. This shows how education and innovation are key to building a successful future.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How is the average IQ of countries calculated?

The average IQ of each country is based on survey data, IQ tests, and academic research. It shows the average IQ of people in that country.

2. Does a high IQ mean a more developed country?

Of course not. A high IQ can reflect thinking ability, but development also depends on other factors like education, politics, technology, and life quality.

3. Can IQ change over time?

Yes. A country's IQ score can change based on education, nutrition, living conditions, and access to knowledge.