Intelligence is a tricky business. We’ve all probably heard of the countries with the highest IQ, but what about the other end of the spectrum? It’s time to dive into the fascinating world of the countries with the lowest IQ. Intelligence is a complex phenomenon that can be influenced by many factors, from education to genetics. Our goal here is to explore the numbers and find out what we can learn from them, not to imply any inferiority in any way.
By understanding the cognitive landscape of different countries, we can gain insight into their education systems, socio-economic factors, and even cultural values. It’s a fascinating journey that will challenge our assumptions and leave us with a new perspective on the world. So, let’s get into it!
South Sudan
#10 in Countries with Lowest IQ
In addition to its rich history and cultural heritage, Sudan is also known for its low IQ. Despite significant investments in education and training programs, Sudan has struggled to improve its cognitive abilities, with the average IQ estimated as 58.61. It's worth noting that IQ tests are often criticized for their cultural bias, and some argue that they aren't accurate reflections of intelligence. Nonetheless, the low IQ scores in Sudan suggest that there is still much work to be done to improve education and healthcare systems in the country.
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Africa
AVERAGE IQ
58.61
Ghana
#9 in Countries with Lowest IQ
Ghana is a West African country with a population of over 30 million people. Despite significant efforts to improve its education system, Ghana has struggled to boost its cognitive abilities, with poverty and inadequate healthcare being major contributing factors. However, Ghana is also known for its vibrant culture, music, and friendly people; with continuous efforts, it has the potential to improve its IQ scores and unlock its full potential.
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Africa
AVERAGE IQ
58.16
Ivory Coast
#8 in Countries with Lowest IQ
Ivory Coast is a country located in West Africa with a population of over 26 million people. Although significant investments have been made into education and training programs, Ivory Coast has struggled to improve its cognitive abilities due to major challenges such as poverty and inadequate healthcare.
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Africa
AVERAGE IQ
58.16
Guinea
#7 in Countries with Lowest IQ
Guinea, a West African country with a population of over 13 million people, has an average IQ of 53.48. There has recently been progress in improving education and healthcare, but Guinea still faces significant challenges, including poverty, political instability, and lack of access to resources.
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Africa
AVERAGE IQ
53.48
Nicaragua
#6 in Countries with Lowest IQ
Nicaragua has struggled to improve its cognitive abilities due to poverty and a lack of access to education and healthcare. The country has taken steps to increase access to education and reduce poverty levels in recent years. With continued investment in these areas, Nicaragua can potentially overcome these challenges and unlock the full potential of its people.
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Central America
AVERAGE IQ
52.69
The Gambia
#5 in Countries with Lowest IQ
The Gambia has struggled with a lack of resources and poverty, being challenged particularly in terms of education and healthcare. Despite these challenges, the Gambia has a rich cultural heritage and is known for its music, dance, and traditional festivals. Continued investment in education and healthcare will provide The Gambia with the tools to help overcome these obstacles.
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Africa
AVERAGE IQ
52.68
Guatemala
#4 in Countries with Lowest IQ
Guatemala is a Central American country with a population of over 18 million people The country's low IQ scores are mainly due to a lack of access to quality education and healthcare, coupled with high poverty rates. Although there is still much progress to be made, Guatemala has made some progress in recent years toward increasing access to education and reducing poverty levels.
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Central America
AVERAGE IQ
47.72
Liberia
#3 in Countries with the Lowest IQ
Liberia has faced significant challenges in the past, including a prolonged civil war that devastated its economy and infrastructure. The lack of access to substantial needs such as healthcare and education, coupled with high poverty levels, has contributed to the low IQ scores in Liberia.
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Africa
AVERAGE IQ
45.07
Sierra Leone
#2 in Countries with the Lowest IQ
Sierra Leone has endured various significant hurdles, including civil strife, outbreaks of deadly diseases like Ebola, and economic instability. A lack of access to quality education, healthcare, and proper nutrition has contributed to the country's low IQ scores. Continued investment in education and healthcare could pave the way for a brighter future for the country.
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Africa
AVERAGE IQ
45.07
Nepal
#1 in Countries with Lowest IQ
Nepal, a country in South Asia, is often known for its stunning mountain landscapes and rich cultural heritage. However, it's also known for having the lowest average IQ in the world. While IQ tests are not without controversy and criticism, the scores from Nepalese individuals appear to rank the lowest, which can be attributed to a variety of factors, including limited access to education and widespread poverty. However, it's important to note that IQ is not the only measure of intelligence and does not define a nation's worth or potential.
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Asia
AVERAGE IQ
42.99
Factors That Lead Up to Low IQ Averages in Countries
Nutrition: Malnutrition during pregnancy and childhood can lead to cognitive impairments and reduced IQ. Inadequate nutrition can cause stunted growth, which can lead to permanent cognitive damage.
Education: Access to quality education is crucial for cognitive development. Countries with low literacy rates often have lower average IQ scores.
Poverty: Poverty is often associated with inadequate nutrition, poor education, and lack of access to healthcare. These factors can all contribute to lower average IQ scores.
Environmental factors: Exposure to environmental toxins, such as lead or pollution, can damage the developing brain and lead to lower IQ scores.
Genetics: While genetics can play a role in IQ, it is not the only factor. However, some genetic disorders can cause intellectual disabilities, which can contribute to lower average IQ scores in a country.
Healthcare: Access to healthcare can impact cognitive development. Lack of access to healthcare can lead to untreated illnesses or infections, which can cause brain damage.
Cultural and societal factors: Cultural and societal factors can influence education, healthcare, and nutrition, which can impact cognitive development and average IQ scores in a country.
The average IQ scores posted for the ten lowest-scoring countries reflect serious problems in the tests or in the administration thereof, or both. All these scores are well under 60. No society can function with IQ scores that low. A score of 70 generally marks the upper level of intellectual disability. With scores of 58 to 42, individuals struggle with basic survival on the level of personal care and feeding themselves when food is put in front of them.
Abstract concepts like building educational systems, social structure with government and law, the need for financial institutions, roads, and bridges–all of these are beyond the capabilities of people thus afflicted. Yet as peoples and nations, all these countries are capable of these basics of survival and infrastructure. The profiles in the above article mention some of these endeavors.
Tests are supposed to measure one person’s level of intelligence in comparison with their peers. Thus, it is not possible for the average of the country within itself to be so low. Given my own in depth experience with cross-cultural living, I suspect that tests and their administration are both at fault.
To develop a test for the Sudan, for example, one must live in that culture at least one years and learn all the survival skills Sudanese children learn. Learn how success is measured in terms of survival and well-being, and also how the natives measure success, wisdom, and intelligence.
When you have learned all this, develop a test that fairly measures intelligence levels of Sudanese by their own metrics. Afterward, adjust for comparison with the wider global community. Do the same for all these low-scoring countries. You will find that these people are just as intelligent as the rest of us; they prove it by their ability to do what they do.
South Sudan
Ghana
Ivory Coast
Guinea
Nicaragua
The Gambia
Guatemala
Liberia
Sierra Leone
Nepal