10 countries with lowest IQ in 2024

Indeed, the IQ scores are highly varied in the world at large, depending on many factors that surround such variables as education, nutrition, and available healthcare. This, however, is not indicative of a nation's potential but nevertheless helps us understand how cognition develops due to broader social, economic, and environmental factors.

MyIQ allows individuals to assess their intelligence levels in relation to both national and global averages, providing a clearer understanding of cognitive strengths and areas for improvement.

What Influences National IQ Scores?

Various influencing factors on national averages of IQ are nutrition, education, healthcare, and socioeconomic elements. The general trend is that the more resources a country possesses, the higher its IQ scores tend to be, as individuals start receiving cognitive support earlier in life. In regions where access to education, nutritious food, or healthcare is limited, national IQ scores tend to be lower. This reflects socio economic barriers rather than anything genetic about intelligence.

Controversy and Sensitivity

IQ is a taboo topic, with the general understanding that intelligence quotient is not, in fact, a real and accurate measure of intellectual capability. Simultaneously, national IQs tend to represent worldwide inequalities rather than natural abilities, which thereby describes situations in society rather than individual human capabilities.

The Bell Curve of Global IQ

IQ scores across the world plot a normal distribution, with most countries lying in the middle of the graph. Few countries rest on the extreme tails, having either very high or very low averages.

Why Some Countries Rank Lower

Various factors might explain poor performance of some countries; among these factors are the poor access to educational resources or health services. Lack of economic opportunities might be a cause of the shortage of quality educational and schooling facilities, nutrition, and healthcare services, which in turn affects cognitive development adversely. These disparities generally reflect social challenges rather than inherent differences in intelligence.

Top 10 Countries with the Lowest IQ

1. Sierra Leone

Persistent educational, healthcare, and economic challenges are significant factors affecting Sierra Leone's national IQ.

2. Liberia

Impacts of past conflicts and economic hurdles continue to impact education and healthcare access in Liberia.

3. Mozambique

Limited rural education resources and economic hardship contribute to Mozambique's lower IQ average.

4. Ethiopia

Rapid growth aside, educational disparities and healthcare limitations impact cognitive development in Ethiopia.

5. Nigeria

Socioeconomic challenges and malnutrition affect brain development, influencing Nigeria's national IQ.

6. Guinea

High poverty rates and scarce educational and healthcare resources affect Guinea’s average IQ.

7. Haiti

Repeated natural disasters and healthcare shortages affect early cognitive development in Haiti.

8. Mali

Poverty and limited access to education and healthcare influence cognitive growth in Mali, especially in rural areas.

9. Burkina Faso

Education and healthcare barriers make it difficult for Burkina Faso’s IQ scores to reach their full potential.

10. Somalia

Conflict, economic hardship, and limited infrastructure in education and healthcare impact IQ averages in Somalia.

Measure Your IQ with MyIQ

The MyIQ is one of the ways to determine the intelligence of an individual and compare it with the global average. IQ testing helps identify cognitive strengths and weaknesses in individuals. The MyIQ Test allows you to find out where your abilities place you compared to others worldwide; receive immediate results to help clarify your unique cognitive profile.

The Future of IQ and Development

The gap in education is bridged by technology and globalization, where online resources bring learning opportunities to even the most inaccessible parts of the world. This development, therefore, gave hope for countries to improve their average IQ score over time.

Up Your IQ With MyIQ

National IQ scores reflect a wide array of social, economic, and environmental challenges. Want to know how your intelligence compares? Take the MyIQ Test and find out where your cognitive strengths stand compared to national and global scores to learn something new about your unique abilities.