Sri Lankans have the highest IQ in South Asia
– As of 2025, Sri Lankans have the highest average IQ levels in South Asia with an average IQ level of 102, which has also been ranked in the top 12 countries with the highest average IQ level in the world, according to the data from International IQ Test (IIT).
The research done was based on data from 1,352,763 participants worldwide who took the same IQ test on the website, and substantial research on the subject of national IQs was conducted by psychologist Richard Lynn, working alongside Tatu Vanhanen. IQ scores typically reflect the quality of education and resources available to people in their local geographic regions.According to IIT the global average IQ level is 100 which is surpassed by the average IQ level of Sri Lanka.
A total of 2840 participants from Sri Lanka were evaluated based on a standard IQ test. China ranked first in the world for highest average IQ level with an average of 107.
Several factors can influence a country’s average IQ, Infectious Diseases, dietary habits: A 2024 study showed that children with good dietary habits have higher IQs than other children. Therefore, countries with good dietary habits tend to have higher average IQs. Intellectual Activities: A 2022 study found that regularly playing chess can increase children’s IQs. Another 1962 study showed that bilingual children score higher on intelligence tests than children who speak only one language. Thus, regular intellectually stimulating activities within a country’s culture tend to raise its average IQ. Genetics: A 2013 study on over a thousand twins demonstrated that IQ is influenced between 50 percent and 80 percent by genetics.
“Countries with good healthcare systems, that promote healthy dietary habits, and encourage their citizens to engage in intellectually stimulating activities, tend to have populations with higher average IQs,” the website stated.
