South Korea has claimed the number one ranking for the first time in the world cognitive scores, according to new data from the 2026 International IQ Test, according to the new data, the final worldwide averages of about 1.2 million test-takers in 126 countries across 2025 suggests South Korea’s average IQ is the highest in the world – at 106.97.
This is the first time the country has topped the list when taking sample data from nearly 27,000 South Korean people.
But in 2013, all of the East Asian countries still dominated the top of the list. China ranked as number two with an average score of 106.48, but just behind that in third place was Japan with 106.30.
Meanwhile Iran, who is ranked number four, gained strength in 2013 with a score of 104.80 and Australia had a dramatic leap into fifth place with 104.45.
Other top-ranked countries included Russia, Singapore, Mongolia, New Zealand and Vietnam.
The United States ranked number eighteen with an average score just over 101.
Educational researchers point out that the West’s experience in high-performing East Asian populations is attributable to the tough regimen of schooling in these countries, cultures that stress early education, disciplined study, and an emphasis on math and science.
These countries also score top marks in the PISA: the Programme for International Student Assessment.
Nevertheless, investigators say the national IQ averages reflect a specific, one-time focus on problem solving and testing familiarity- as well as the quality of education, nutrition and access to technology- rather than the inherent limit of human potential.
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The top five ranking-one Australia’s entrance and one Vietnam’s entrance-is evidence of the ongoing impact of increased educational accessibility and digital infrastructure on the measurable cognitive results of the world.
